2006-04-10 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes

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Public Hearing (Continued): Zoning By-Laws Amendment Business C Zone (Addison-Wesley), W/S Development To conduct as required by MGL Chapter 40 A, Sec S the CPDC public hearing in advance of the Annual Town Meeting on the zoning by-laws. amendment petition by W/S Development Associates, LLC, to change the Business C zoning at Addison-Wesley to allow retail as a permitted use, with associated changes as applicable. (Action Date: April 10, 2006) JS re-opened the public hearing. He said testimony from the applicant and public had been taken at the last meeting (3/27/06) and the Board had continued the public hearing until tonight to have additional time to review the case including any additional information from the working group. JS read aloud a letter addressed to the Board from Attorney Mark Favaloro, attorney for W/S Development Associates [see attached]. The letter states W/S Development's intention to move to table Article 26 at Town Meeting. Also in the letter, W/S Development requests that the Board close tonight's public hearing "with a vote to recommend to Town Meeting to table the Article." The letter further states that "...WS will be presenting a modified plan on April 12, 2006, to the working group assembled by the Selectmen, which plan is intended to lead to a - revised Zoning Article for consideration at a future Town Meeting session, the date of which is to be determined " Public Comment. Ms. Susan Blake, 291 South Street. Ms. Blake said she and her husband are for the developer's plan. She believes the silent majority in town supports the plan. She said other towns have projects of similar or greater density abutting residential properties. She said that all parties have had plenty of time to express their concerns and we can't ignore creative uses of this property. She said the town must remember that "40Bs are in the wings". Ms. Ellen O'Neill. Ms. O'Neill said she is tired of having developers set the town's agenda. She said the residents supporting the plan are claiming to be the silent majority without evidence. She asked the Board if tabling the Article would mean the developer would have to go through the entire process again from the beginning. JS said the developer would have to start over with the CPDC and go through the same public process again. Ms. Hayes, Pearl Street. Ms. Hayes said she supports the developer's plan. "W Ms. Karen Bell, 24 Susan Drive. Ms. Bell said she is also concerned by the possibility of a 40B at the site. She is "horrified" by the development on West Street [Archstone]. She asked for all parties to work together. Page 2 of 9