HomeMy WebLinkAbout1947-01-03"LOU .�
BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING '
January 3, 1947
A meeting of the Board of Appeals was held in
the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Friday
evening, January 3, 1947. Mr. Locke, Mr. Redman, Mr.
Nickerson and Associate Members Lynah and Ripley
were present at the hearing. The Clerk was also
present.
The meeting was called to order at 8;00 P.M.
Mr. Locke stated that in view of the fact that Win-
throp H. Bowker has resigned as Chairman of the Board
of Appeals, effective December 31, 1946, it became
necessary to elect a new 'Chairman. Upon motion of Mr.
Nickerson seconded by Mr. Ripley, it was unanimously
voted that Mr. Errol H. Locke be the newChairman of the
Board of Appeals.
At 8;07., hearing was declared open upon the petition
of Gail W. Smith for permission to use the existing
building located at 238 Wood Street, Lexington, owned
by said petitioner, for a research laboratory.
Notice of the hearing was read'.: by Mr. Nickerson. '
There were eleven persons present at this hearing. Notices
of this hearing have been mailed to the owners of all
property deemed by the Board to be affected thereby, as
they appear on the most recent tax list.
Mr. Gail W. Smith, 174 Wood Street, Lexington, read
the following statement;
My.name is Gail W. Smith, Wood Street, Lexington. I
have a statement which,I shall read and which I should
like to have made a part of the Board's record of action
in this matter. I have petitioner the Board of Appeals
on behalf of my wife, Helen M. Smith, and myself for
permission to use the building and real estate at
238 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts, which I pur-
chased from the United States Government last August,
for a research laboratory.
The land in question is, as you may know, located
near the Lexington -Bedford line and consists of about
forty-five acres. On the high point of this land are
located the buildings which were constructed by the
United States during the recent war for radar work.
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(1) One of these buildings is the so-called
"Diesel building" which consists of a sigglb large
room and was to be used to house a Diesel power
unit for use in supplying power to the large build-
ing in case of a power failure;
(2) The large building which is approximately
75t by 1151 in size and which was to be used for the
radar work.
Both buildings are of brick and reinforced concrete
construction. From my knowledge of construction, I would
say that they are very well and solidly built. In fact,
I have been informed by experts that they represent the
very best in Type A or First Class construction. The
large building contains two stories, one of %h ieh is
underground, and a total of fifty rooms. Neither build-
ing has any windows. The arrangement of rooms in the
large building is peculiar. Neither building is appropriate
for permanent residential use.
In 1946 the United States Government declared this
real estate, including the buildings, to be surplus property.
Mrs. Smith and I, as the former owners, had a priority to
purchase the parcel on which the buildings are located,
and in August,'1946, we did purchase the land and build-
ings from the Government. At the request of the Govern-
ment we also purchased the adjoining parcels which are
included in the forty -five -acre tract.
I believe this situation is somewhat different from
what it would be if we were applying for a permit to build
the buildings now on our property. The buildings are in
existence, and we have the problem of working out some
effective use of the. We have had many of our friends in
Lexington look at this property with the idea of trying to
find the most effective use, but at the same time a use
Beford proceeding further, I think you mit
be interested in some the background this
of as to
property. Approximately one-half of the land, including
the land on which the buildings are located, was owned
by Mrs. Smith and me prior to the war. In 1943 the
United States Government started condemnation pro-
ceedings in the United Stated District Court at Boston
to take our land, and we, in October, 1943, executed a
deed of the land to the United States, The United States
also acquired the adjoining parcels which are included
in the forty -five -acre tract andproceeded to construct
the two buildings on our land for radar work;
(1) One of these buildings is the so-called
"Diesel building" which consists of a sigglb large
room and was to be used to house a Diesel power
unit for use in supplying power to the large build-
ing in case of a power failure;
(2) The large building which is approximately
75t by 1151 in size and which was to be used for the
radar work.
Both buildings are of brick and reinforced concrete
construction. From my knowledge of construction, I would
say that they are very well and solidly built. In fact,
I have been informed by experts that they represent the
very best in Type A or First Class construction. The
large building contains two stories, one of %h ieh is
underground, and a total of fifty rooms. Neither build-
ing has any windows. The arrangement of rooms in the
large building is peculiar. Neither building is appropriate
for permanent residential use.
In 1946 the United States Government declared this
real estate, including the buildings, to be surplus property.
Mrs. Smith and I, as the former owners, had a priority to
purchase the parcel on which the buildings are located,
and in August,'1946, we did purchase the land and build-
ings from the Government. At the request of the Govern-
ment we also purchased the adjoining parcels which are
included in the forty -five -acre tract.
I believe this situation is somewhat different from
what it would be if we were applying for a permit to build
the buildings now on our property. The buildings are in
existence, and we have the problem of working out some
effective use of the. We have had many of our friends in
Lexington look at this property with the idea of trying to
find the most effective use, but at the same time a use
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con
which would be in every way compatible with the best
interests of the immediate neighborhood, as well as the
Town of Lexington.
Of the various proposals which have been made to
us, we felt that the proposal of Mr. Bradley Dewey
of Dewey & Almy Chemical Co. of Cambridge, to use the
premises for a research laboratory was the best. We
have therefore entered into a tentative agreement
with Dewey & Almy, contingent upon the granting of
a permit by this Board of Appeals, to lease the property
to Dewey & Almy for ten years, with an option to pur-
chase. Under our agreement with Dewey & Almy, no use
could be made of the premises Mich would result in
a nuisance.
A representative of the Dewey& Alm? Chemical Co.
will give you further details about the proposed lab-
ratory. I understand it will be a modern laborktDry
in every way. It should be beneficial to the town
of Lexington. It will bring high grade citizens to
the town --doctors and scientists Professors from
M. I. T. will collaborate at the labratory. I think
there is a definite public interest in research '
today. I also believe the town should be interedted
In this petition from the standpoint of the tax
situation. As the property stands now, it is an
expensive white elephant, and unless an effective use
can be found for it, I don't believe anything but
a nominal tax assessment can be justified. on the
other hand,, if the proposed use as a laboratory is
authorized, a reasonable and substantial assessment
would be justified.
I should also like to consider for a moment acme
of the alternatives which might be considered if
this petition should not be granted. I have in mind
the possible use of the property as a meeting hall
or a clubhouse or perhpas,its use as a henhouse,
deep-freeze locker and warehouse in connection with
my poultry farm. I believe none of these possible
alternatives would be as, -desirable from the stand-
point of the immediate neighborhood, and the town
of Lexington as a whole, as the proposed use as a
research laboratory. The proposed laboratory would
be operated in every way like a research laboratory
of a college or iiniversity, and there would be
nothing in such use which would impair the status
of the neighborhood. '
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' It is costing me considerable to finance the
purchase of this property, and up the present I have
not been able to work out any effective use for the
property. I think the situation is unique. Certainly
there is no similar situation in the entire town, and
it is unlikely that one will ever arise in the future.
Under all the peculiar circumstances which are present
here, and in view of the nature of the proposed use of
the property, I think this Board would be justified in
granting our petition to vary the application of the
Zoning By -Laws.
Now I should like to introduce Mr. John A. Lunn,
Vice President of Dewey & Almy Chemical Co., who will
give you more details concerning the proposed labor-
atory.
Mr. John A. Lunn, V ce President of the Dewer &
Almy Chemical Company, 37 Larch Road, Cambridge.
Possibly you gentlemen know as well as I do what
constitutes or comprises a research laboratory in the chemical
field. During the war we developed, as a sample of what
type of research we might do in Lexington, synthetic rubber.
We have the only synthetic rubber plant in New England. It
is to start this research that we want the laboratory. First
we make small-scale experiments in glass consisting of
appartus which makes up to one pint. •From this, we move to
the next step which is a five -gallon sample. In the five -gallon
type we have various types of stainless steel and other mat-
erials. The final step os the manufacture of the 50- gallon
samples. This enables us to send samples to the trade or
to be used in our own department and to give us an inside
to the next step - large production manufacture.
To the question which you will probably ask - What
about obnoxious odors? I think upon occasion many
chemical laboratories will set up such an odor, but I
think if I tell you that we are located in a very populated
section of Cambridge and have lived in peace with our
neighbors for twenty odd years, this question will be
answered.
Another question - are there any fire hazards in
connection with the research laboratory?. of course in
a laboratory there is always such a hazard .in a very small
scale. We,have never had a fire or a very serious accident
in our laboratory.
' I think that I might stress what Mr. Smith has already
told you about the class of people who would be involved
in the operation of such a laboratory. In Cambridge we
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have seven Doctors of Science and
We have 12 or 15 Master Degree men
S. I think the group would be one
welcome into your community.
Ph. D. in Chemistry. I and several B. of
which you would
Mr. Errol H. Locke, Chairman of the Board of
Appeals;
Is it fair to ask, has anyone besides Dewe* &
Almy an interest in thisproperty?
Mr. Lunn: No one at all. It is entirely in our
own family.
Mr. Locke; I take it that on the premises you
would carry on the same general type of organic
research that you have carried on in Cambridge.
Mr. Lunn: That is correct. Particularly in
the organic field and more particularly in the field
of synthetic rubber, plastics, et cetera.
Mr. Locker Are there some conditions that
particularly render this building adaptable to your
research work.
Mr. Lunn; We would not ordinarily build a build-
ing without windows. Most people who work in labor-
atories, as well as in factories, like to be -able to
look out. The fact that it is air- conditioned and
readily adaptable because of its size and ceiling
heights would be adaptable for organic laboratory work.
Mr. Locker What hours would the building be used.
Mr. Lunn In Cambridge, from 8:30 to 5,30.
Mr. Locke: game hours in Lexington
Mr. Lunn: That is correct.
Mr. Locke; Would there be occasions when you might
operate overtime.
Mr. Lunn: There might well be.
Mr. Locke; How many people would be employed
Mr. Lunn; I would estimate about forty.
Mr. Locke; Someone from Dewey & Almy, an executive,
should have to be in charge.
Mr. Lunn: That is right.
Mr. Locke: What is there in the way of noise pro-
ducing equipment.
Mr. Lunn: I doubt if anyone in the neighborhood
would know that the work was going on. None that would
make noise outside the building.
Mr. Locke; Would there be materials to and from the
building.
Mr. Lunn: Very small. We would have drums of materials
and sample materials going out in drums. I would say
that the volume would be very small. We would have a
light delivery truck coming in every day or so, but
there vio uld be no heavy trucking.
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Mr. Locke; Will there be any substantial structural changes.
'
Mr. Lunn; We would not make any in the main walls of the
building. We would remove m ny of the inside partitions
in order to make room for appartus.
Mr. Locke; How about some day requiring or desiring
additional space.
Mr. Lunn; That is4lways a possibility. As we see
it that is some time of4 but it would be possible that we
might need additonal space there for storage of materials
or something of that sort. We would not like to be limited
against the possibility of having some additional space.
Mr. Locke; If it were granted, the erection of additional
buildings would require approval by the Board of Appealsffar
that purpose.
Mr. Lunn; We would nojt like to be in a position of not
having such an appeal granted.
Mr. Nickerson; Is the building sprinklered.
Mr. Smith; There are two fire hoses upstairs and down-
stairs in the very center of the building. There is a six
inch main from Wood Street up to the building. There are
two soutside hydrants at each end of the building.
Mr. Nickerson, Don't. -you have to have your building
sprinklered.
Mr. Lunn; We would undoubtedly install sprinklers around
some of the apparatus. I believe the only thing that is
flammable in the building is the roof. The rest of it is
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fireprooZ.
Mr. Smith; That is so.
Mr. Lynah; How many buildings on the property.
Mr. Smith; Two.
Mr. Lynah; How far from Wood Street.
Mr, Smith;Three or four hundred feet.
Mr. Locke; How much of the area of forty-five acres
would be covered by your lease.
Mr. Smith; The whole of it.
Mr. Lynah: Is the property fenced off.
Mr. Smith; It is not. You can't see it from Wood Street.
Mr, Ripley; Is there plenty of parking space.
Mr. Smith; There is space which would take care of
twenty-five cars and it is all macadamized.
Mr. Nickerson; How is it illuminated.
Mr. Lunn; Fluorescent lighting.
Mr. Lynah; IhAt inside changes are you proposing to
make and what will be the costa
Mr. Lunn; Our plan is to take out the center balcony
and open the space up leaving the rooms on the sides as they
are today. We will then move the equipment into that space.
I am sorry I -can't give you an estimate, but would guess that
it might be $ 8,000.00 or $ 100000.00.
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Mr. Sidney A. Maxwsll, 341 Wood Street= I feel
,
as Mr. Smith does, that we have a building.up there that
I think something should be done with. I don't think
it would be wasted and I feel that this type of work
would without a question of doubt fit into the general
layout better than anything else that possibly could go
out there.
There is one thing I would like to bring out and
that is that you can't even see any part of the plant
even at this time of the year with the leaves all off.
Unless they put up a sign no one will even know that
there are up there. As a taxpayer in the town, I
think here is a chance of the town to bring in additional
revenue. I feel in this way we would be getting a
lot more out of it than if it were converted into a
poultry business or some other farm producing program
which, of course, he can do without any permit. Our
own company does a tremendous amount of research work
in our plant which is in the heart of the residential
area in St. Louis. We live in peace with the residents
nearby our laboratory and research plants. I. as
one of the closest neighbors, have absolutely no
objection and am very much in favor.
Mrs. Jessie Barker, 201 Wood Street; We own the
property directly across from the hill. I see no reason
why that it would make any difference. I think the class
Of people that it would bring would be very desirable.
Mrs. Daudelin, 275 Wood Street; Mr. Daudelin and
I would be very happy to have such a use made of that
building and pleased to have that type of work done there.
Mr. Locke; Usually in granting a variation of the
Zoning the town's interests naturally should, be pro-
tected.` Often times limitations as to length of use,
type of use, are made a part of the granting of the
petition. The town's interests must be protected
so that no different use should at some future date be
made of a building of this sort. I assume that Dewey
& Almy wi11 be in business for a great many .years and,
if granted, not object to a limitation to the use of this
building along the lines you outline.
Mr. Lunn; I assume that would be agreeable to us.
Mr. Locke; The type of work you do would, of course,
be leading to commerical application, but there would
be no goods produced on the premises for sale.
Mr. Lunn; We vio uld be willing to agree that no
substantial amount of goods, other than a sample,
would be sold. '
Mr. Redman; Anything brought up there would be
stored inside the building, wouldn't it.
' Mr. Lunn; There might be some things stored outside,
but I am sure it would not be of an objectionable nature.
We might store drums of solvents possibly and carboys of
acids. I think you will find that our housekeeping would
be very orderly.
Mr. Locke; Have you gentlemen any further thought that
you haven't presented to us. I want to give you every
opportunity.
Mr. Lunn; I don't believe I have anything further,
Mr. Chairman.
The hearing was declared closed at 8;45 p.M.
It was agreed that the records of this meeting be
submitted to Daniel Lynch, Town Counsel, with a request
for his opi#ion as to whether it is within the province of
this Board to grant the variation. After we have received
his opinion, a decision will be rendered by the Board of
Appeals.
The meeting adjourned at 9;25 p.M.
A true record, Attest;
W
1
Clerk, Board of Appeals.
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