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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1946-04-06180 BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING 0 April 6, 1945 A meeting of the Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on Friday evening, April 6, 1945, at 8;00 P.M. Chairman Glynn, Messrs. Locke and Bowker were present. The Clerk Was also present. The election of a Chairman and Clerk for the enduing year was held over until the next meeting when five members of the Board would be present. At 8;00 P.M. hearing was declared open upon the petition of Carpenter & Powers, Inc. for permission to operate, -on the premises owned by C. W. Ryder, et al and located at 89 Cary Avenue, Lexington, the manufacture of wooden boxes for Army and Navy export purposes. Messrs. Carpenter, Powers and Alfred P. Tropeano, their attorney, were present. Mr. Robert L. Ryder and Mr. Charles Ryder were also present in favor of granting thepetition. Mr. and Mrs. J. Willard Hayden, Mr. S. I'. Parker, Treasurer of the Lexington Co-operative Bank, Mr. Robert H. Holt and about eighty citizens were presant at the hearing in opposition to • granting the petition. Notice of the hearing was read by Mr. Bowker. Mr. Alfred P. Tropeano, 25 Vine Brook Road, Lexington, said that he was appearing for Carpenter & Powers, Inc. He stated that the concern was a corporation consisting of two members, James Carpenter of 5 Sunn% Knoll Ave., Lexington, and Charles S. Powers -of Weymouth. He stated that during the past year this concern has been approached on different occasiona by various box manufacturers who are between six and seven weeks behind in filling orders for vital war export purposes. The McElroy Manufacturing Company of Boston prevailed upon these individuals to manufacture boxes ordered by the United States Army to ship replacement parts for equipment in thiscountry and the entire war zone. Mr. 'i'ropeano stated that Mr. Carpenter had endeavored to locate a suitable place in several surrounding towns xnd was unable to do so. He said that Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Powers are hot interested in the permanent manufacture of boxes and that they want'.a temporary permit for the duration only and nothing beyond. Mr. Tropeano informed the Board that the concern had actually commenced to operate before a permit had been issued, which he realized was in violation of the Lexington Zoning By - Laws. He said that the personnel would consist of Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Powers and one permanent man, three men during the day. He stated that at night, some part time help is engaged to nail the boxes. They have two hand operated saws and a roller or conveyer operated by hand. The boxes are nailed by hand. They receive about one and half load of lumber per week, and ship out one truck load of boxes per day, possibly two on some days. When a rush order is placed, the chippers, on occasions, send their own trucks out to pick up the boxes# Mr. Tropeano said that the War Productioh Board has given the corporation the highest lumber priority rating as, AA -l. The Chairmanamsked what the zige of the boxes were and Mr. Carpenter said that they vary in cubic contents from one to eight or nine cubic feet in content. The thickness of the lumber varies from one half inch to three quarters of an inch. The Chairman inquired about the saws and Mr. Carpenter said that'they were electric, but manual in action. One fractional electric power hand saw is used probably once a week. Mr. Bowker asked if the business. were operated nights and Mr. Carpenter said that they have had overtime work three or four nights a week until ten or .ten thirty. Mr. Bowker asked how many boxes were shipped out in a day and Mr. Carpenter replied that one 1-1/2 ton truck full. Mr. Bowker. asked if .the business were operated on Sundays and Mr. Carpenter replied that they did work one Sunday when requested to do so by the contractor. They do not plan to operate on Sundays, however. Mr. Leslie Ryder said that he represented the owner of the premises and he is in favor of the petition being granted. He said that he would like an opportunity to speak after those who were apposing -the petition had an opportunity to be heard. No other persons appeared in favor of granting the petition. Mr. Robert H. Holt informed the Board that he was ap- pearing on behalf of the group of some eighty individuals opposing the granting of the petition. He said that he understood there was another hearing scheduled for this evening pertaining to the same premises and he could speak in opposition to both at the same time. The Chairman said that the second hearing has.,been called for 8;20 P.M. and he thought Mr. Holt had better refer to this particular one, and it may not be necessary for him to repeat everything he would have to say. Mr. Holt said that he vso uld like to file with the Board a written protest which had been signed by over eighty of the property owners in the vicinity. Mr. Halt read the petition, omitting the names, and presented it to the Chairman. He said that it was not the desire of those protesting, to obstruct in any way the war effort, He said that it was difficult for him to see how the manufacture of some. rough wooden boxes at the rate of one truck load a day, which could be manufactured anywhere, is such a contributioh to the war effort by a sub -contractor or a sub -sub -contractor to Justify the flagrant violation of the existing law by coming in and ignoring the Towns Zoning Law and starting the machinery going, and operating days and nights before even filing an application for a hearing. He said that he did not believe .1 87 this was the type of thing which should be allowed by the Board, even under the guise of a eontricution to the war effort. Mr. Holt said that he hoped the members of the Board would, before making a decision, look at the property and the surrounding homes built by individuals who believed they were protected by Zoning Laws designed to keep manu- facturing and similar enterprises -away, Mr. W. A. Burrows, 55 Shade Street, Lexington, said that when he purchased his section of property, he was assured that he would be living in a residential section and he was dis- turbed about having a factory or a riding academy next door, Mr. Holt asked Mr. Burrows if he could hear any noise froiA the business and he replied in the negative, Mr. William P. Knecht said that he owned property on Shade Street and he would like -to point out that in the. deeds from the Cary property there is a restriction clause stating that there shall be no business enterprises carried on and he believed the same clause appears in Ryder's deed. Mr. Knecht said that he would like to be recorded in opposition to any attempt to change this section from a residential area. Mr. Handel Rivinius, Treasurer of the Lexington Co-oper- ative Bank, said that a number of the bankts mortgagees and shareholders have approached him, expressing concern over the possibility of commercialism creeping into the neighborhood. He said that they are very much opposed and requested him to oppose granting the petition. Mr. J. Willard Hayden, said that he owns a home on Shade Street and he -built it because it was in a restricted district. He said that he, like the other home owners on Shade Street, takes care of his property, keeps it up, pays taxes and tries to make it a credit to the Town. He said that he was absolutely opposed to any change in the Zoning Laws. He said that the trucks were a menace to the neighborhood.and he could see no reason why lumber should betrucked up Cary Avenue to this barn, made into boxes and trucked back to Boston as a part of the war effort. The Chairman asked for a showing of hands of those who opposed granting the petition. The entire group, with the exception of those mentioned above who spoke in favor, were in opposition. The following individuals stated that they would like to have their names included on t he petition presented by Mr. Holt: Mr. & Mrs. William P. Knecht, 72 Shade Street, Mrs. C. H.Anderson, 9 Shade Street, Mr. W. H. Locke, 6 Middle Street, Mrs. Helen Smith, 42 Cary Avenue, Mrs. A.M. Swenson, 145 Spring StreEt and Dr. T.K. Richards, 128 Sprlag Street. Mr. Ryder zaid that he would like to ask Mr. Hayden if, • seven years aggo, he did not appear in this room to have the Zoning Law ch9.nged in this neighborhood for the purpose of nringing children out from the slums of Boston. He said that the same people here tonight opposed the change at that time. Mr. Holt said that this question was immaterial. • Mr. Ryder replied that the question was very pertinent. The Chairman said that the discussion should be confined to the hearing of the evening. Mr. Ryder said that no noise could be heard outside of the building; the saws could not be heard outside of the building even if the door was open. He said that there was only one truck a day and that the boxes were tied tight to the"t ruck by rope and caused no noise, He said that, as one who knows, if one of the boxes saved a life it would be suf- ficient and the fac$ that the concern has received a call for emergency orders indicates that it is possibly that the .;boxes may result in a life being saved. Tar. Ryder said that he be- lieved a permit should be granted. He said, that the work would be over in a few months and it would, in his opinion, help the war effort. Mr. Carmichael said that he lived at 18, 8" from the building in which the boxes are made. Mr. Tropeano asked him if he could hear any noise and he replied that he did, but he was not complaining. Mr. Tropeano asked if there were any persons objecting to this petition who would be willing to signify their approval if it were granted temporarily. No persons indicated their approval of a temporary permit being granted. The hearing was declared closed at 8:45 P. M. and the Chairman said that the application of Andrew and Joseph Sanso for permission to maintain a riding school on the premises located at 89 Cary Avenue would,be considered. Mr, Joseph Sanso appeared before the Board and stated that he wished to withdraw his application. The group retired at 8:50 P. M. The Chairman was of the opinion that a decision should not be made until five members of the Board were present. It was decided to meet on Friday, April i3th to consider the appli - cation further. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p. M. A true record, Attest: and of App als, is 189 BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING • April 13, 1945 A meeting of the Board of Appeals was held in the Selectmen's Rooms, Town Office Building on Friday evening, April 13, 1945, at 8;00 P. M. Messrs. Locke, Bowker, Nickerson and Associate Members Lynah and Redman were present. The Clerk was also present. Mr. Locke said that he assumed the Board should appoint a temporary Chairman inasmuch as Mr. Glynn, former Chairman of the Board had died suddenly. He also stated that two new members must be appointed to fill the vacancies caused by the death of Mr. Glynn and Mr. Maddison, before the board could organize. Mr, Nickerson moved that Mr. Winthrop H. Bowker serve as temporary Chairman. Mr. Redman seconded the motion and it was unanimously voted. This meeting was held for the purpose of making a decision on the petition of Carpenter & Powers, Inc. for permission to manufacture light wooden boxes on the property of C. W. Ryder, et al and located at 89 Cary Avenue. A public nearing was held on Friday, April 6th. However, there were only three members of the Board present. • Mr. Bowker said that there had been some question in Mr. Glynnts mind relative to granting such a petition. Mr• Cann said that the Board had never granted such an appli- cation in a residential zone except where there had been a building previously used for such a purpose. Mr. Lynah said that he had driven up to the location and the business was still in operation. Mr. Brown suggested that this business, operating in a wooden building was a fire hazard. Mr. Nickerson asked if the Fire Department had visited the location relative to the liability of a fire, but none of the members knew whether or not an inspection by the Fire De- partment had been made. After careful consideration of the matter, upon motion of Mr. Locke, seconded by Mr. Redman, it was unanimously voted to deny the petition on the following form; BOARD OF APPEALS DENIAL The Board of Appeals, acting under the Lexington Zoning By -Law and General Laws, Chapter 40, Sections 25 to 30 as amended, having received a written petition addressed to it by Carpenter & Powers, Inc., a copy of which is hereto annexed held a public hearing thereon of which notice was mailed to the petitioner and to the owners of all property deemed by the Board to be affected thereby as they appear on the most recent local tax list, and also advertised in the Lexington Minute -Man, a newspaper published in Lexington, which hearing was held in the 190 Selectmen's Room, in the Town Office Building on April 6, • 1945. Three regular members of the Board of Appeals were present at the hearing. A certificate of notice is hereto annexed. At this hearing evidence was offered on behalf of the petitioner tending to show: That they wished to manu- facture wooden boxes for Army and Navy export purposes; said manufacturing plant to be located at 89 Cary Avenue, Lexington, on the premises owned by C. W. Ryder, et al. The counsel for the petitioner stated that the manufacture of wooden boxes had commenced before a permit had been issued which he realized was in violation of the Lexington Zoning Laws. ' Evidence was offered on behalf of citizens opposing the granting of the said petition tending to show that the estab- lishment of a manufacturing plant for the manufacture of wooden boxes at 89 Cary Avenue, Lexington, would be detrimental to the neighborhood; that the trucking which was necessary in connection with the operation of the said plant was a menace to the children in the neighborhood. Mr. Robert H. Holt, repre- senting some 80 residents in this vicinity filed a protest stating that these residents and property owners were opposed to the variation of the Zoning Law which would allow the es- tablishment of this firm. It was also brought out that the business operated nights as well as day times and once in awhile on Sunday. Those who opposed to the granting of a permanent permit also signified that they were opposed to the granting of a temporary permit for the duration of the war. At the close of the hearing the Board in private session April 13, 1945, gage consideration to the subject of the petition and voted unanimously in favor of the following findings: 1. That in its judgment the public convenience and welfare will not be substantially served by the making'of the exception requested, and that the war effort would not be substantially served by making the exception requested. 2. That the exception requested will tend to impair the status of the neighborhood. 3. That the exception requested will not be in harmony with the general purposes and intent of the regulations of the Lexington Zoning By -Law. 4. That the enforcement of the Lexington Zoning By -Law as to the locus in question would not involve practical difficulty and unnecessary hardship and the relief requested may not be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantially derogating from the intent and purpose of such Lexington Zoning By -Law. I. Hazel J. Murray, Clerk of the Board of Appeals of Lexington, appointed under General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 27, herebycertify that I b postage certificate of mailing on the 27h day of March, ing., Uo _191 Carpenter & Powers, Inc., Sergie & Cecelia Gaposchkin, Albert H. & Alice M. Moore, Isabella Linney, a talo Warren G. & Dorothy G. Emmons, George A. Knox, Jr., and Freda V. Knox, Robert B. & klice F. Burrows, Rudolph E. & Edith L. Tighe, W. Alen & Gladys A. Burrill, Blanche G. & Charles L. Rand, Lee Randall, John P. & Martha A. Gorman, Albina M. Marble, Marie L. Baker, William B. & Doris P. Rivinius, Francis Co Magurn, Nickolas & Catherine De Lorenzo, Alexander Holmes, Marion F. Thwing, Lexington Savings Bank, Howard P. McLaughlin, Charles Welmar, William P. & Ora L. Knecht, Samuel & Rose J. Doll, Richard W. & Carrie J. Bell, Joseph E. & Sallay Anderson, Paul A. & Grace M. Buckley, Miriam W. Rodes, Stephen E. Snell, J. Willard Hayden, Stephen D. & Hildegard M. Klyce, Anna C. Andreson, Clifford W. & Sadie M. Hinds, Clarimond J. & Caroline M.Saunders, George C. & Florence R. Gould, Helmer C. & Josephine D. Anderson, Elonise H. & Arthur L. Rea, Frederick J. & Doris G. Carr, James VU. & Alice D. Annis, Mary W. Pippette, Maurice M. & Gwen A. Cleveland, Peter G. Gaudun, Neil McIntosh, William E. & Edna B. Thayer, Byrd D. Goss, Carrie E. Goss, Katherine E. Crosby, Handel V. & Florence N. Rivinius, Raymond & Grace V. Beals, Margaret M. Merrick, Ervin C. Griffith, George E. Smith, John B. & Henal C. Faucette, Henry J. & Nora J Nutt, Robert L. & Mary E. Dicey, Althea L. Smith, Myron W. & Olive Roberts, Herbert L. & Rhoda M. Rush, Edwin B. Worthen, Jr., William J. & Jeanette M. Sherman, Jennie E. Perkins, Raymond E. Maclnnis, Ryders Stock Farms, Inc., Jerome F. Ryan, Thaddeus T & Alice C. Meehan, Owen D. McLellan, Edward J. & Elsie M. Mc- Lellan, games H. & Elizabeth Clyde, Maurice S. & Gladys B. Huchins, Napoleon J. Ledoix, Walter E. & Wilhelmina A. Bragdon, Frank D. & Ethel Mattson, Maude I. & David Yuill, Edward J. & Henrietta Hopkins, Maude M. Kelley, Walter P. Tyler, Raymond C. Deal, Hans M. Levas, Rocco Marchese, Sigvart J. Borgeson, Walter A. & Katherine Arnold, Thomas A. Napoli, Vincent J. Fopiano, Lyman E. & Doris Carlow, William P. & Emma N. Clark, Bertran P. & Ruth Gustin George Wood g A. , Gandolfo & Madalan Andolina John J. Scannell, Andrew 0. & Abbie.L. Bickford, Arthur F� 601by, Timothy Brosnan, Clifton Glidden, Augusta 14. Delander, Cosmos V. & Elaine Cosmades, H. Rodney Brooke., Mildred Harrington, Raymond E. & Jean Kelly, George A. & Evangeline Caisse, Mary B. Thurlow, Pasquale Panetta, William A. Melbye, Frank A. & Mary Napoli, Enu st E. & Catherine Rogers, Edwin H. & Mary E. Halvorsen, Raymond L. & Anna White, Ralph M. & Eleanor Blair, Carl V. Olson, Patrick Machino, and also advertised in the Lexington Minute -Man on March 22, 194519 a notice of which the following is a true copy. Hazel J. Murray Clerk, Board of Appeals Lexington Board of Zoning Appeals Town Office Building Lexington, Mass. Gentlemen; The undersigned hereby petitions the Lexington Board Of Appeals, appointed under General Laws, Chapter 40, Sections 25 192 to 30 as amended, to vary the application of section of the Lexington Zoning By -Law with respect to,the premises at 89 Cary Avenue, Lexington, owned by C.W . Ryder of Newton, Mass., by permitting the following; manufacture -of wooden boxes for Army & Navy export purposes. Carpenter & Powers, Inc. James W. Carpenter 89 Broad Street Boston, Mass. Pursuant to the said findings, the Board hereby denies the said petition of Carpenter & Powers, Inc, The. Board feels that the.establishment of a manufacturing business at 89 Cary Avenue, Lexington, would be detrimental to the neighborhood. The Board hereby makes a detailed record of all its proceedings relative to such petition and hereby sets forth that the reasons for its decision are its findings hereinbefore set forth and the testimony presented at the said hearing, including thst herein summarized, and directs -that this record immediately follcw ing this decision shall be filed in the office of the Town Clerk of Lexington and shall be a public record and that notice of this decision shall be mailed forthwith to each party in interest. BOARD OF APPEALS OF LEXINGTON (Acting under the Lexington Zoning By -Law and General Laws) Winthrop H. Bowker D. E. Nickerson Errol, H. Locke -Thomas G, Lynah Lester T, Rodman NOTICE March 22, 1945 The Board of Appeals will hold a hearing on the matter of varying the application of the Zoning By -Law by permitting on the premises owned by C. W. Ryder and located at 89 Cary Avenue, Lexington, the manufacture of wooden boxes for Army and Navy export purposes, under the Lexington Zoning By -Law or in accordance with Chapter 40, Section 27A of the General Law and amendments. The hearing will be held on April 6, 1945, at 8:00 P. M. in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, Lexington, Mass. C. EDWARD GLYNN Chairman, Board of Appeals Mr. Bowker read a letter received from Rufus Crowell Company stating that they had anticipated erecting a small addition on the East side of the property at 177 Bedford Street. The original permit granted to this concern specifically pro- hibits any addition to the existing building. Mr. Locke moved that Mr. Crowell be advised that, under the Zoning Law, the Board of Appeals has no authority to grant permission to make any extensions or enlargements to the present building. Mr. Nickerson seconded the motion, and it was.so voted. The records of the meetings held on March -9th, 16th and 23rd, were approved subject to a few minor changes. The meeting adjourned at 9;20 P. M. A true record, attest; C] Wa Murray, oard of Ap eals