1933-04-03-STM-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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26 0-1 tz: It does not appear that the fundamental conditions ct- \c„ ing the matter hive in any material degree changed since it was :c - sidered by the Town. The opposition of the Planning Board to the Proposed change is,as formerly, based primarily upom a firm belief that the area already provided for business use is ample, not only for all present needs but for the needs of many years to come,and that to enlarge the area will necessarily lend to a depreciation in valueof existing business areas and a progressive deterioration of nearby res- idential properties. beyond this primary consideration, which involves a principle of far-reaching importance affecting the future development of the Town with respect to its business areas, the PlaTnaing bora is moved by other and more immediate considerations to recommend that the Town at least defer committing itself to a change at this time. Among these are the following; (1) The Petitioner hs indicated that he has in mind reel/est- ing the witharaTal of certain 'arias on the southerly side ofass- achusetts 'venue from Winthrop ,.- ona to the baptist Church from the Lusinesa or C. 1 district to an -7 .1 or residence district and further that he would favor the withdrawal of the land from the Town Buildings to Fletcher Avenue from the v® 1 district to an R.1 district.Such changes, the Planning Board feels, deserve the serious consideration of the lowm.and should be carefully explored and acted upon before any new area immediately adjacent is set apart for business use. 2J '2he House Jroperty involving an important tract of land adjacent to loua property is now in the market and its future development is uncertain® Being important in its influence on general torn development the future of this area should not be prejudiced at this tine by a change in the status of the property involved in this petition. The Planning Board recognizes the improvements that the petitioner has made in the property. and the apparent fact that the lama cannot be turned to as great profit for the owner throtgh res- idential use as through business use, but would again point out that the land was couired by the owner while it was in a residential zone with no indication on the part of the Town that its status was to be Changed. Respecting the specific business use indicated fbr this area, should it be changed to a business area, the Planning Bonrd is of the opinion that a filling station would' introduce aadea' compliea- tions and dangers to both highway and sidewalk traffic .Seeing no Public necessity with respect to this special use nt this location, the ,Boara notes the growing demand in neighboring municipalities to exclude such uses from areas it Proximity to churches, schools, and Public buildings. Respecting the inducements offered in the way of new assessable values, the Board is inclined to discount these con- , siderahly in view of the broader considerations and to contem-elnte the probability of eventual depreciation of the value of mercantile build- ings in this area owing to its peculiar location. The Planning hoard recognizes the desire of residents of the Fletcher . venue and roburn Street districts for improved street con- ditions and convenient neighborhood stores,but it should be noted that Fletcher Avenue is now an unaccepted street and that a business area suitable for neighborhood stores is already provided on Woburn Street east of the railroad 9 -'-he furare extension of Sherman Street to Woburn street with general rearrangements and improvements including the possible discontinuance of Fletcher Avenue from the Railroad to sachusetts !venue are seen as developments indicating the aesir- ability of deferring any change in the status of the area involved in the -eresent petition. he Planning Board regards this triangular nrea, just off the principal avenue between two streets ard n railroad, and between two areas in T7gich the Town itself has 11- 77.77investments, as being of peculiar strategic importance. Changes such as might be involved in the elimination of the ' oburn Street grade crossing, or the relayout of Woburn Street as a part of a major state highway development suggest that heavy charges for damages might well fall on the Town if this area were to be built upon for business purposes.