1974-05-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Housing Realty Trust Hearing (continued) It will depreciate the property surrounding interest in that area and it will spread. I think it is the wrong type of project and I application. MUCH CLAPPING Mr. Sheldon: Next gentleman or lady. it and it will impede growth and think it is the wrong place. I request that the Board deny this Gilbert M. Levey, 10 Rumford Rd. referred to an article in the Saturday Globe newspaper, which he read. It was titled "From Dream to Danger". He read... small housing on scattered city owned lots, sold by the White administration and BRA......... He read on and on.....the Development Corp. of America declared bankruptcy after HUD had agreed that a contractor build 392 units, 60 completed units scattered about the city which have become eye sores and dangerous with windows battered etc. etc. etc. .....One of these days a child will be killed in one. There's just one thing to do now. The buildings must be demolished. One would think that the city would be the one to do this (demolish buildings) but the city argues that it is HUD's responsibility to take down the buildings.. Nobody does anything and the buildings stand there as an invitation for children to come in and break their necks. -7 Mr. Irwin (Building Inspector): I can't understand the statements made by the petitioner that the project would conform to the building code and that no variances would be necessary. This is unusual. We have to face 4 or 5 propositions for low and moderate income housing as well as private enter- prises. All of them felt that they could not comply with the Lexington by- laws and building laws and come out financially safe. On the plans it's mentioned that there will be copper roofs. Mr. Ostroff referred to the Masonic building. In my 19 years of building inspecting it is the only build- ing in town that has used a copper roof and I think that they are financially able to do it. Now, a copper flat roof would cost today $3.25 a sq. ft. A seamed roof edge and I think your designer would confirm this, would cost $2.80 per sq. ft. This is in comparison with 51 cents per sq. ft. for heavy architect's roof of shingles. I just bring this up because if he says they are going to conform to the local building code, which I will admit is a little stiffer than BOCA or STD -10 or some of the other codes, this is fine. I'm all for it. But it's hard for me to understand how they think they can conform and come up with low and moderate income housing. It's not that I'm against it. I just want to make sure that this is what they are saying. Mr. Sheldon: Thank's Don. Next person. Melvin R. Rubin, 34 Young St.: Many objections have been raised for this pro- posed development, mentioning the traffic hazzard and the disproportionment of units to area. I don't think anyone has said anything about the water problem. Mr. Sheldon: Mr. Ostroff assured us that he is well aware of the Wetland ' Protection Act requirements. If the Board issues a permit it will become a condition. Please don't spend any time discussing the water. We know it exists and you've been told how it would be handled. Mr. Sheldon: The lady in yellow.