Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-11-29Friday - November 29, 1968 Hearing & Special Meeting The PLANNING BOARD held a Special Meeting and Hearing on ~¥iday evening, November 29, 1968 a~t 7:30 P.M. in the Town Office Building. The following members were present and voting: William Chepulis, Jr., Chairmam; William B. Duffy, Jr., Esq.; and J~,~s M. Barman. Mr. Farley was unable to attend and Mr. Burke disq?,sl~fied him- self from sitting in this hearing. There were over 50 people present and the hearing was adjourned to the Fire Station meeting room. HEARING: Old North Andover Realty Trust. To re-zone approx. 170 acres for an Industrial Park on Rte. 114 near Hillside Road. Atty. John J. Willis appeared for the petitioner. He asked what vote was necessary since there were only 3 members sitting. Mr. Chepulis said that it should be a vote of 2 out of 3. Atty. W~ll~s explained that the petitioner has on optiom on various parcels of land that cc~prise the entire area involved. It runs 150 feet on Htllside Road to Rte. 114, circles Totem Pole and McLayt s Garden Center, then to Chestnut Street, beh~Bd Marian Drive and follows Andover-North Andover town line to Rte. 125. This area would be an attractive area for industrial development and would not he a burden to the town. There is ready access to and from the area and utilities are available. Sewerage system could be extended and water is available. ~295,000 would have to be provided bM the town for the facilities. These facilities would also se~-~Ice the townspeople. The area is basically woodland now, sparsely populated. Mr. Willis showed a large aerial photograph and explained that this area is being proposed for Raytheon. There is an area fronting 150 feet on Hillside Road in order to have access to the backland Which is under option. They plan a 1OO ft. buffer ~one wherever it abuts residential areas, except where it fronts on a public way. The clients are willing to enter into any legal agree- mont. They will file an affidavit with the Planning Board that the 100 ft. buffer zone will be a limitation in the deed. This restriction cannot be tampered with. Ben Osgood holds options on all of the land involved. No funds would have to be e~pended until a commitment has been made that they intend to build. This parcel is not useful unless it has the utilities that are necessary. The petitioner does not object to the Planning Board's taking i,~ediate steps to re-zone the land back to rural residential if they decide not to come to North Andover. This is a tremendous tax advantage to the town - comparable to Western Electric. The towm is now faced with ~23 increase due to the proposed $8 million high school~ North Andover needs this kind of assistance. Raytheo~ wants North Andover to want them. They have no firm commitment from Andover as yet - but will not consider North Andover if there is no area already zoned. George Stern, Hillside Road, spoke in favor of the re-zoning and stressed many of the same points as Atty. Willis. Edward Phelan, Cbairm~n of Board of Assessors, spoke in favor saying it would help the tax revenue of the town. They would pay about 30% of the taxes m~ng a total of 60% being paid by commercial and industrial. November R9, 1965 - cont. Charles Papalia, 99 Marian Drive, thinks this re-zoning should be opposed. Should not re-zone land under conditions Raytheon wants. Are putting N.A. in a vulnerable position. He can't see why N.A. can't wait until the Andover problem is resolved. Yvonne Ground, Andover By-Pass, said there would be heavy traffic and it would be dangerous to the people living on the highways - and asked about access to the area. Atty. Willis said access is available on Rte. 125 - Willow Street. Rte. ]-14 is a no limit access road. M. Margolis, Andover By-Pass doubts that there is access. John Burns, Andover By-Pass, is opposed. There would be a safety factor involved~ Police would have to be on duty and it would be an added expense to the to~n. Ben Osgoed said the company would provide their own police protection. Ken H~:~:is, Marian Drive, asked what could be done if the land was lease~ bits and pieces. Member Dully explained that it could result in a 2 yr. or 7-yr. wait. Chairman Chepulis said that at present it is one large tract of land but at some future time it could be sub-divided. The town is l~m~_ted in the amount of industrial land and said there are questions that have to be considered - do we need more industrial land? Is this a good section whether or not Raytheon does come in? We should consider if if it is for the good of the town not specifically for Raytheon. A discussion was held on re-zoning and subdivision control. Mr. Barman said alot hinges on whether the articles on appropriations for water, sewer, · etc. are passed also. Mr. Duffy said he has faith in these people. A discussion was held on what uses are allowed in an industrial area under the Zoning By-Laws. The Board discussed certain problems and what restrictions, if any, the Board could put on re-$o~ing and specific problems connected with it. It ~as brought out that Andover requires a covenant before re-soning. A spectator asked if anyone representing Raytheon was present. Mr. George Stern said that there are a number of reasons why Raytheon does not want to become openly involved. They have confirmed that they are interested and want to stay in the Greater Lawrence area. Several questions were asked about a Master Plan for North Andover. A spectator asked how soon Raytheon would know if they could come to North Andover. Atty. Willis said they would know before the end of this year. Raytheon says that unless they get a quick and immediate bearing they will go out of Andover. Member Duffy said he doesn't think it is good zoning or good planning to work in such a hurry. November 29, 1968 - cont. Charles Johnson, Marian Drive~ thinks it is unfair to ask the town to gamble that Raytheon might come. here. Mr. Papalia asked wh~ the Selectmen and other town officials are not present to speak in favor of this. Mr. Chepulis explained that the article is sponsored by the Selectmen, showim~ they are interested. He can't speak for someone else. Leland Cole spoke in favor of the re-soning saying North Andover is such a good town because of the industries that are located here. Joseph Guthrie, ChairmA_~ of the School Co~ttee spoke as being concerned ~-Ith the town's taxes and that Raytheon would be an asset to the town. David AmUndsen, Marian Drive, said he would like more information before bei~ in favor of such a proposal. John Burns spoke about traffic problem and safety factor. After more discussion, Mr. Barman made a motion to take the petition under advisement. Mr. Duffy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M. AD Ch~_.~ rman Clerk