HomeMy WebLinkAbout1930-09-12 BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING
Sept. 12, 1930.
A regular meeting of the Board of Appeals was held at
the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, at 8 P.M.
Messrs. Maddison, Glynn, Custance and Slocum were present.
Mr. Roland W. Baldrey attended the meeting when the
hearings were over. The Secretary, Mrs. H. C. Whittemore
was also present.
At 8 P.M. hearing was declared open on the
application of Mr. Henry S. Moody, Trustee, for per
mission to construct an eighteen hole golf course, a
miniature golf course and a driving range onthe premises
located at the corner of Pleasant St. and Concord Ave.
Mr. d. Edward Glynn, acting as temporary clerk,
read the notice of the hearing.
Mr. E. A. Milner, representing Mr. Moody, informed the
Meeting that Mr. Moody wanted to construct an eighteen
hole golf course on the premises, and intended to use the
house as a club house. He intended to remove the buildings
premises, except the house and one barn. He would build
the nine holes first and get that in working order and Moody
then build the other nine holes later. They would have application
parking space for 800-1000 cars so that there would he no
parking on the highway. They intended to have the course
extend on both sides of Wellington Lane and would make
provisions for the widening of the street if the Town so
sesired at a later date when the section might be developed
as residential.
No persons appeared to object to Mr. Moody's applic-
ation.
The Clerkr pro-tem Mr. C. E. Glynn read the notice. of Innis &
the hearing called on the application of Innis & McLellan McLellan
to operate a driving range and a miniature golf course applicationcJ
at Marrett Gardens, Marrett Road, and fordri.iring range
on Bedford St. , on the property of George W. Bean et al,
Adm.
The Chairman stated that they would first call a
hearing on the application for the use of the property known
as Marrett Gardens.. The hearing was then declared open,
and Mr. Francis Burke, who represented the applicants,
stated that as far as he was aware no objections were made
to the driving range. The property owned by the present
owners was costing then about $80. a month for carrying
charges and the foif practice would help to off-set their
expenses until such time as they can develop the land for
residential purposes.
Mr. William P. Martin stated that his house was
nearest to the golf range than any other house and that
he, personally, did..not have the slightest objection to
the operation of golf practice or miniature golf on the
premises . He felt that the whole district had been removed
from a residential district inasmuch as so many places of
business were established along Marrett Road.
He felt also that this was not a business that
was a nuisance, and the applicants should be allowed to
do business even on Sundays.
Mr. George W. Sarano stated that he lived opposite
the golf course which has been operating for two or three
months and he could not see any objection to it, and
wanted to be recorded in favor of the application.
Mr. Harry A. burgess who operates the golf course
for Innis & McLellan stated that arrangements had been
made for parking so that no one would have to park on the
highway.
Mr. William P. Martin and Mr. George W. Sarano
agreed that they had never seen any congestion of traffic
on the highway in front of the golf course.
No persons appeared to object to the application.
Hearing was then opened on the application to use
the Bean property located, on Bedford Street for a driving
range.
Mr. Daniel J. O'Connell stated that Mr. Burgess had
been operating the golf course practically all summer, and
H..A.Burgess he wished to call attention to the character of the
appli- neighborhood in which it was being operated. The Smith
cation Bell Farm, run as a roadside stand, is almost opposite,
and therefore business was being carried on in the
neighborhood.
He stated that when Mr. Whittaker lived on the
premises he was in the business of farming and sold the
products of the premises. The property has been im—
proved and the old farm buildings removed, but he still felt
that the character of the property was business, owing
to the fact that it had been carried on there for some
time past. He felt that Mr. Bean should be allowed to get
something out of his property inasmuch as it would not
be profitable for him to endeavor to develop the property now
into house lots . He did not know of any objection, and
if there were any it would only come from one who was a
competitor, . He felt that this business would not annoy
anyone.
Mr. James S. Ellis stated that he was asked by,
by Mr. MacDonald who has leased the property next to the
Bean property, to state that the applicat on of Mr. Bean
entirely met with his approval and he had no objection if a
{ permit were granted to Mr. Bean to operate for a longer
period than one year. Mr. MacDonald's property is located at
232 Bedford St. , and he has leased the property with an
option to buy. He stated that there was ample opportunity
to park on the Bean property without anyone stopping on
the highway.
There was no opposition to the permit being
granted .
The Board discussed the applications for driving
ranges, golf courses and miniature golf courses on
111 which hearings were held, and on the suggestion of Mr.
Glynn, the Planning Board was invited to come into the
meeting and express their views.
Mr. William D. Milne spoke for the Planning
Board and stated that the traffic problem was one that
had to be considered. He felt that golf courses attract
the driver 's attention and they slow up passing the golf
course; in this way making it dangerous for vehicles
passing on the highway. He also felt that bushes being
planted along the outside, or a fence of some kind would
hide the view from the autoists and was a suggestion
that might be taken into consideration. The other
consideration was the feeling bf the property owners in
the residential districts where persons apply for
miniature golf courses. He felt that permits granted
should be given on the yearly basis so that a control
may be had over them at all times .
The Board considered the application of
Mr. Henry s. Moody for permission to establish an eigteen
hole golf course, a miniature golf course and a driving
range on the premises located at the corner of Pleasant St.
and Concord Ave. The Chairman was to communicate with the
Town Counsel to secure the proper wording of the fors to
be used in each case.
No other action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
Gale ,
Secretary
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