1965-02-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Athens Realty Trust (stop & Shop) February 23, 1965 Athens Healty Trust, represented by the Construction Co., John Silva, Morton brown, Counsel, and Harold Fine, presented a set of draw- ings with Mr. Silva's name on it, consisting of elevations and floor plans of the proposed structure designed by Lawrence L. Rubin; a plot plan showing the property on the corner of Bedford St. and Worthen Rd. owned by the Lexington Plaza Trust. It was explained that the problem is in desiring to have a larger undivided area than provided for in the By -Laws. Mr. Fine stated that the reason for making the request is that they felt a much saner type building could be offered in terms of public interest than is called for by the Town code. Second class construction is proposed, fully sprinklered, with a direct connection to the fire station across the street. He explained that the chief problem with fires insofar as hazard to life and limb is concerned is smoke inhalation rather than the building burning down. In many large fires people don't know there is a fire at first. In this case any fire that is started set off the sprinkler system immediately and at the same minute sounds the alarm in the fire station. This calls immediate attention to the fire whereas in a fire -proof building all that can be done is to confine it to a certain area. It could blaze away for a number of hours with- out anything happening. Mr. Fine was asked if this was a standard size installation and replied "yes." ne was also asked if they had to go before the Boards of other towns to which he replied they did not on a store of this size. Mr. Fine said that the store was accessible all around and that they planned to fully sprinkler the small stores also. Mr. Nickerson asked if this was required and Mr. Fine :said it was not required, the area for these stores meets the code, but it-is.an extra precaution. Mr. Nickerson explained Ahe format of hearings and read letters from the Building Inspector and Fire Department chief giving their approval of the project. William Smith, a resident of 59 Forest St. and also Manager of the Battle Green Apartments owned and operated by the Niles Co. abutting the property, read a letter of objection from Niles Co. Mr. Smith then stated that they had no opposition -to it as.a commercial site but feel that a -commercial venture should.be in accordance witn the building code to give them some protection for their substantial investment. Niles Co. feels that what is being -proposed is too large and would have a very serious effect on the value of their property. Mr. Nickerson explained that as sar as the size went it was per- fectly all right. It is a question of allowing them to build a single undivided area - it could be divided and they would not have to come ' 'before the Board. Mr. Fine said he was sorry Mr. Smith had not attended the several hearings held with the Historic Sites commission as they had gone to a