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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-28-ASCC-min.pdf e--L/ ADAMS SCHOOL CONVERSION COMMITTEE Minutes of the Meeting of October 28, 1981 Present Jim Crain (Chair) , Anna Currin, Hayg Boyadjian, Mary Lou Touart, Betty Levine, Laura Fisher; also Bea Phear The meeting was called to order at 8.00 p.m Bea reported on some background figures she had gathered with the caveat that they cannot necessarily be translated to the Adams site, but could only give very broad ball-park indications 1 Hancock School. Unit - average - assessment is $87,800 If translated to Adams, at 25 units taxed at $21 that could be $46,095/year 2 19 Muzzey Street Low density office in a converted building hall the size of Adams was assessed at $285,000 in 1979 Note, that building is in Lexington Center 3 Munroe School (21,000, square feet) now rents at $42,000 for a three-year lease with an escalator clause for a two-year rental 4 Bob Bowyer prepared a traffic impact sheet which the committee members received by mail. In a discussion on sale versus lease, the committee felt a strong need to preserve the land for possible future use Laura moved, Betty seconded, that the committee recommend that the land be leased Passed 5 to 2 Moving on to the question of retention or sale of the building, the committee heard from the Historical Commission. Sara Chase recommended that the Town retain control over the exterior appearance of the building either by inclu- ding it in the Historic District boundary or by placing preservation ,re- strictions On a question from Laura, Sara explained that if it were included in the Historic District, then the commission would have no juris- diction over the use but would have jurisdiction over exterior appearance, including demolition This would not be the case if the Town had its own restrictions only, whereby it could demolish or alter Jim requested that the Historical Commission submit a list of desired restrictions to assist the committee in its decisions Linda McAulay said they would draft a memo for next week, selecting such features as roof slope, size of windows, facade material, etc -2- The committee felt that there was no current need to tear down the building Frank said since it was voted to lease the land, he wanted to also lease the building Anna pointed out that the Town may not be prepared to meet the housing needs now, but in ten or fifteen years .use such as low and moderate housing would be more. acceptable Betty said she would like to think about the revenue generation questions longer before making the decision regarding leasing or sale Jim said that we wouldn' t have a clear vision of these alternatives unless we went out and asked The leasing concept has not been tested There was concern about asking developers to put money into proposals that would be unacceptable Laura thought that they would eliminate themselves when they looked at parking and neighborhood feeling She recommended an open-ended ad requesting leasing or buying proposals Pat Brandes, of the Waldorf School, reminded the committee that last year the first step was only letters of interest which don't cost developers much money A man from the audience said he thought:.it a mistake to search for the "ideal" situation and that the committee should focus on the Waldorf pro- posal Jim responded that the committee has a responsibility to the Selectmen and Town Meeting, and that there must be evidence that they explored all the alternatives Jim then brought up the issue of encroachment on the playgroud, including the embankment Frank said he doesn' t want any encroachment, nor any further hot topping The sense of the committee was that they are unprepared to advertise right now Hayg pointed out that if we advertise we must define use, and Betty said we are restricted by the zoning by-law, but Jim pointed out that we could still look at ideas Mary Lou said we would be remiss if we didn't advertise It was decided to think about an advertisement and get one out after the next meeting Fred March, from the audience, reopened last week's question regarding prioritizing on this charge Jim said yes, the items were all important, but the charge represents a statement of priority The meeting adjourned at 9 50 p m Respectfully submitted, �LA cx� Beatrice Phear BP• cy