HomeMy WebLinkAbout1947-05-2229
BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING
May 22, 1947
A meeting of theBoard of Appeals was held in the
Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building on May 22, 1947.
Chairman Locke, Mr. Redman, Mr. Brown, Mr. Nickerson and
Associate Member Ripley were present.
At 8:00 P.M., hearing was declared open upon the
petition of Gail W. Smith , ror permission to use the exist-
ing building located at 238 Wood Street, for use for educational
purposes, including research, by the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology..
Notice of the hearing was read by Dir. Brown. There
were ten persons present. Notices of the 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. Smith 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 action in this matter.
My wife., Helen M. Smith, and I. co-owners of the land and
buildings at 238 Wood Street, Lexington, Massachusetts, and
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, of Cambridge Massa-
chusetts, have jointly petitioned the Boardof 4ppeal for per-
mission for Massachusetts Institute of Technology to use such
land and buildings for educational purposes and Lexingtoh-
Bedford line and consists of about forty-five acres. On
the high point of the land are the buildings which were
constructed by the United Stated during the recent war for
radar work. M.I.T. has entered into a purchase agreement
with Mrs. Smith and myself whereby M. I. T. agrees to pur-
chase outright the premises from us subject to the proviso
that we are able first to obtain the necessary permission
from the Board of Appeals.
There are two buildings on thistract of land:
1. The small so-called "Diesel Building", which consists
of a single large room and was designed to house a Diesel power
unit for use in the event of a power failure.
2. The large building which is approximately 75, by 1151
and which was to be used by the Government for radar work.
Both buildings are of brick and concrete construction, and I
understand represent the very best in type A dr first-class
construction. This building has a total of fifty rooms.
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Neither building has any windows. I believe Mr. Locke '
has examined the premises and is familiar with them.
I do not think that I need to go into all the many
efforts which I have made to try to find a use for these
buildings which would be acceptable to -the town. I believe
that some of my efforts are well known to the Board. I
do feel, however, that the town should permit me to make
some reasonable use or disposition of these buildings which
are already in existense at the present time. I also feel
that the proposed purchase and use of the buildings by
Massachusetts Institute of Technology should not be object-
ionable to anyone, but rather should be welcomed by the
town, and furthermore, that the use by M.I.T. falls squarely
within the permitted uses noted in section 6 (b) of the
Lexington Zoning Law, namely, use by "public and private
schools".
Now, I would like to present the representative of
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who will make a
statement concerning the proposed use of the property in
the event a permit is granted.
Professor M. M. Hubbard of M.I.T. also read the follow-
ing statement;
Purposes
1. To provide laboratory space and facilities fcr
graduate students, faculty, and staff in a quiet area
away from the campus.
2. To provide an area electrically quiet for
research requiring extremely delicate techniques. Mechanidal
and electrical disturbances (passing trucks, trains,
electrical noise) make this work difficult or impossible
in Cambridge.
Details
To conduct conferences of M. I. T. and visiting
scientific personnel in physics and electronics, with
possible future establishment of seminars, colliquia,
and graduate courses.
1
31.
' To provide space and facilities for thesis work of
graduate students and possibly undergraduates.
To provide a location electrically quiet to permit
continuuuau recording of cosmic -ray data. In investigAting
certain natural cosmic -ray phenomena, occurrences are so
infrequent that equipment must be in operation continuously
for weeks on end without external mechgnical or electrical
disturbances. This is impossible on the present M. I. T.
campus.
To measure magnetic resonances of molecules at high
magnetic field intensities and extremely low temperatures.
To provide a new electrostatic belt -type generator for
the precise determination of physical constants.
It will not include any industrial research or develop-
ment. It wilTinclude no manufacturing. It will not involve
explosive material of any kind. While some equipm-e'n-T to be
installed is heavy (batteries, relay racks, magnets, etc.),
it is not anticipated that much trucking of materials will
be involved.
' 'Per'sonnel and Hours
Present plans foresee a possible future' staff at any
one time of 50 persons on the site. Their normal hours would
be 8;30 A.M. to 5;30 P.m., although individuals may at times
remain all night to complete experiments. We expect to main-
tain cots for such personnel.
We expect to secure a caretaker for 24-hour supervision
of the premises.
Construction
As soon as Federal building regulations allow and necessary
permits can be obtained, we expect to erect a six -room cottage
for a caretaker. This would be located within one hundred to
two hundred yards of the large building.
We will also wish to make interior partition changes.
Naturally we will have to rearrange electrical wiring as labor-
atory equipment is devised. A supporting structure for the belt -
type generator will be designed. No more detailed plans have
been prepared.
Mr. Locke; You are taking the entire property as one tract?
Mr. Smith; Yes, that is right.
Mr. Locke; You are reserving no part of it?
32
Mr. Smith: No, Sir.
Mr. Locke: Do you see any substantial changes in the
present structure of the building?
Prof. Hubbard: We may put ih some windows on one
side of the building, that is debatable. Some of our
professors are slightly claustrophobic and have said that
they will have to have windows. This is something we will
have to go into.
Mr. Locke: It is Aaf a to say there will be nocchanges
in the outside walls except for windows and the possibility
of the arrangement of a new front door or something of that
king.
Prof. Hubbard: It is entirely possible that to move
some equipment in we might have to make temporary changes.
It is possible that we might ask to create some means of
getting an exit or entrance.
Mr. Locke: If this were granted, I see no possible
difficulty about getting any changes such as you outline.
At this stage of it, you believe there would be no other
buildings required except the possible building for the
caretaker.
Prof. Hubbard: I am quite sure we donft see any
other buildings right now. We may wish to add other build-
ings on the side later on - otherwise we wouldn't be
interested in such a large area.
Mr. Locke: Whatever you might construct would not be
of an industrial nature.
Prof. Hubbard: That is right.
Mr. Locke: This is entirely an M.I.T. undertaking.
Prof. Hubbard: Entirely M.I.T.
Mr. Locke: At this stage of it, I see no question
about a six -room cottage going in there. You have plenty
of frontage on Wood Street. I should not expect that there
would be any question of building a cottage there. What
town facilities might be required?
Prof. Hubbard: I canit think of anything. We under-
stand they have their own sewerageddisposal unit.
1
Mr. Locke; You know that the entering street is a
' private way?
Prof. Hubbard: We understand that.
Mr. Locke; What advantages might the town gain in an
undertaking of this kind?
Mr. Ford; There certainly would be no disadvantages
to the town.
Prof. Hubbard; It is quite possible that some of our
personnel might choose to live near this site rather than to
seek living quarters in some other suburb.
Prir. Locke- Much of the work carried on is of a continuing
nature and the staff will not change much.
Prof. Hubbard; That is right.
Mr. Brown; You mentioned a staff of Instructors. Just
how many do you mean?
Prof. Hubbard; To give figures on this would be a little
hard at this time. There might be in the future about 50 people.
6 to 10 might be faculty members, another 20, graduate students;
the balance undergraduates and part-time undergraduate helpers
such as technicians, and machinists. We would not want to
guarantee these figures. The first project we have in mind
that might go out there would take about 6 persons. As it is
now in Cambridge, they can only operate from 2 to 4 A.M. when
there are no disturbances of any kind.
Mr. Brown; Any use for gas?
Prof. Hubbard; Gas would be useful to us, but we did
not realize gas would be available. It has not been included
in any planning.
blr. Ripley; As far as you know right now, the staff and
students would be coming out from Cambridge and going, back.
Prof. Hubbard; That is right. We would not expect
them to live on the site. one or two persons might find it
necessary to spend the night there to finish an experiment,
in which case, cots would be provided. Generally speaking,
they would return to their own homes. Some of the faculty
members might arrange their classes in such a manner so that
they might have two or three full days there. Part of their
educational duties deal with the training of men. They are
' coming out here to get a quiet spot. There will be no manufacturing
or production at all.
34
Mr. Nickerson: Any noise connected with your work?
Prof. Hubbard:I won't say that during the period in
which the equipment is being installed there won't be a
normal construction racket, but this of curse, will
only be temporary. Other than this, there will be no
noise.
Mr. Nickerson: No odors?
Prof. Hubbard, No.
Miss Syer, 215 Wood Street, stated that she
lives opposite this site. She was very disappointed that
the other project did not go through and would like very
much to see this one go through. She feels that it would
be a held to the community. Mr. Smith would not put any-
thing upon them that would be detrimental.
Mr. August Schumacher, 148 Wood Street, stated
that he was in favor of the project. This is a -.very
fine organization going out there to do the work and he feels
that the town should be proud that we are going to have such
an Institution in our midst.
The hearing was declared closed at.8;25 P.M.
At 8:45 P.M., hearing was declared open upon the
Petition of Russell Davenport for permission to erect a
boiler house on the premises located at 482 Bedford Street.
Notice of the hearing was read by Mr. Redman.
The petitioner was the only person present. Notices of the
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. Davenport stated that he wished permission
to erect a new boiler house.
Mr. Locke: According to the plans it is going
to be built on the same foundations as the present boiler
house, but will be extended 13 1/2 feet out towards Bed-
ford Street.
Mr. Davenport: That is correct.
Mr. Locke: What will be the construction?
Mr. Davenport: Cinder block and concrete.
Mr. Locke: The old ch±mney is coming down? ,
Mr. Davenport; Yes, I already have a building permit
for the new one.
Mr. Ripley; How near the street is the present boiler house?
Mr. Davenport; About fifty feet. The neva boiler house
will only be about four or five feet higher than the present
one.
The hearing was declared closed at 8;53 P.M.
The Board considered the application of Russell Davenport.
Upon motion of Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Ripley, it was
unamiously voted that the application be granted in the
following form;
L
C
36 a
BOARD OF APPEALS PERMIT
The Boardof Apneals, acting under the Lexington Zoning
By-law and General Laws, Chapter 400 Sections 25 to ZOA as
amended, having received a written petition addressed to it
by
Russell S. Davenport
a copy of which is hereto annexed, held a publid hearing thereon
of which notice was mailed to the petitioner and toe 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 Selectments Room, in the Town Office
Building on the twenty-second day of May, 1947.
Four regular and one associate 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 shows That Russell S. Davenport
requested permission to erect a boiler house replacing the present
boiler house on the premises located at 482 Bedford Street, Lex-
ington, owned by him. He stated that the new building would be
built on the same foundations with the exception of an extension
on the Bedford Street end of the building approximately 271 - 4"
by 13, - 611. He stated that the wall nearest Bedford Street would
be set back between fifty and sixty feet. Construction would be
of concrete and cinder block construction.
No one apj,eared in opposition to the granting of the petition.
At the close of the hearing the Board in private session
on May 22, 1947 gave 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 be substantially served by the making of the exception re-
quested,
2. That the exception requested will not tend to impair
the status of the neighborhood.
3. That the exception requested will be in harmony with the
general purposes and intent of the regulations in the Lexington
Zoning By-law.
36 b
-2-
4. That owing to conditions especially affecting the said
parcel but not affecting generally the Zoning district in which
it is located, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the
Lexington Zoning By-law as to the locus in question would involve
substantial hardship to the petitioner and that desirable relief
may be granted without substantially derogating from the intent
or purpose of such Lexington Zoning By-law.
Pursuant to the said findings, the Board hereby unanimously
decides that the application of the Lexington Zoning By-law is
hereby varied so far as may be necessary to permit Russell S.
Davenport to erect and maintain a boiler house on the premises
located at 482 Bedford Street, Lexington.
- The Board hereby makes a detailed record of all its pro-
ceedings 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, includ-
ing that herein summarized, and directs that this record
immediately following this decision shall be filed in the office
of the Town Clerk of Lexington and shall be open to public
inspection.;and that notice of the decision shall be mailed
forthwith to each party in interest.
( over )
BOARD OF APPEALS OF LEXINGTON
(Acting under the Lexington Zoning
By-law and General Laws)
/s/ Errol H. Locke
Lester T. Redman
D. E. Nickerson
Aiden L. Ripley
J. Milton Brown
I Virginia B. Tarbell, Clerk of the Board of Appeals
of Lexington, appointed under General Laws, Chapter 40,
Section 27, hereby certify that I sent by postage
certificate of mailing on the eighth day of May 19479
to Russell S. Davenport, G. 0. Anderson & Sons, Inc.,
Chester L. & Kathryn K. Blakely, Lexington Sand & Gravel
Co., and also advertised in the Lexington Minute - Man
on May 80 1947, a notice of which the following is a
true copy.
/s/ Virginia B. Tarbell
Clerk, Bord of Appeals.
N 0 T I C F
May 8, 1947
The Board of Appeals will hold a hearing on the
matter of varying the application of the Zoning By -Law
upon petition of Russell S. Davenport for permission to
erect a boiler house on the premises located at 482
Bedford Street, Lexington, owned by Russell S. and Beulah
P. Davenport, under the Lexington Zoning By-law and in
accordance with General Laws , Chapter 40, Sections
25 to 30A as amended.
The hearing will be held on May 22, 1947 at 8;45 P.M.
In the SelectTen's Room, Town Office Building, Lexington,
ERAJ L H. LOCIKE
Chairman, Board of Appeals.
May 6, 1947
Lexington Board of Zoning Appeals
Town Office Building
Lexington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen;
The undersigned hereby petitions the Lexington Board of
Appeals, appointed under General Laws, Chapter 40, Sections
25 to 30a as amended, to vary the application of section 6a
of the Lexington Zoning By-law with respect to the premises
at No, 482 Bedford Street, owned by Russell S. and Beulah P.
Davenport of Lexington by permitting the following; Boiler
House.
Russell Davenport
482 Bedford Street
Lexington, Mass.
f
37
' At 9;00 P.M., hearing was declared open upon the petition
of John Ferrazzhail for permission to erect and Nmintain
a roadside stand on the premises located at 673 Waltham
Street.
Notice of the hearing was read by Mr. Brown. The
petitioner was the only person present at the hearing.
Notices of the 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. Ferrazzani stated that they had always had a small
road -side stand on their property. At the present time it
is not good looking, He has taken .an interest in it and
wants to tear down a part of the barn and build a shelter
out from the barn towards the street. This would give
more driveway room and would make the place look much better.
Mr. Locke; How large would the shelter be - just a
supporting roof?
Mr. Ferrazzani; The shelter would be about eight f eet
out from the barn and th whole length of the barn. It would
be about twenty-five feet.
Mr. Locke; How far back from the street?
Mr. Ferrazzani; It is well over twenty feet - probably
about twenty-five feet or so.
Mr. Locke; The front of the shelter would be at least
twenty-five feet backs'.off the road?
Mr. Ferrazzani; Yes.
Mr. Locke; You will sell only produce from the farm?
Mr. Ferrazzani; Yes, fresh vegetables et cetera.
Mr. Locke; How large a sign would you want?
Mr. Ferrazzani; Not a large one. Three square feet would
be sufficient.
Mr. Locke; What hours would you operate the stand?
Mr. Ferrazzani; Mostly in the afternoon and early
evening; Saturdays and Sundays - not later than 9;00 P.M.
Mr, Locke; You would like permission to run the stand seven
day a week?
Mr. Ferrazzani; Yes.
3S
Mr. Locke; Any special lighting --floor lighting of
any kind?
Mr. Ferrazzani; Just enough to light the stand.
Mr. Bloke; The area between the shelter and the road
is sufficient enough for automobiles to get off the high-
way?
Mr. Ferrazzani; Yes. That is why I want to tear down
a small section of the barn it will give more room.
Mr. Locke; You understand that this permit can be
issued for only a year?
Mr. Ferrazzani; Yes.
Mr. Ripley; The parking space that you speak of which
is about twenty feet deep - is that from the sidewalk
line or the street line?
Mr. Ferrazzani; There never was any sidewalk?
Mr. Ripley; No sidewalk?
Mr. Ferrazzani; No.
Mr. Ripley; The parking area then is about twenty
feet deep.
Mr. Ferrazzani; Yes.
The hearing was declared closed at 9;10 P.M.
The Board then considered the application of John
Ferrazzani.
Upon motion of Mr. Redman, seconded by Mr. Brown,
it was unanimously voted that the application be
granted in the following form;
1�
11
BOARD OF APPEALS PERMIT
The Board of Apneals, acting under the Lexington Zoning
By-law and General Laws, Chapter 40, Sections 25 to ZOA as
amended, having received a written petition addressed to it
by
John Ferrazzani
a Copp 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 Selectmen's Room in the Town office
Building on the twenty-second
day of ksy, 1947.
Four regular and one associate
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 shows That John Ferrazzani requested
Permission to erect and mkintain a roadside stand on the premises
at 673 Waltham Street owned by Luigi Ferrazzani. He stated that the
existing stand would be removed, as well as a portion of the front
of the barn, and that he intended to erect a nde shelter type
structure approximately eoght (8) feet by twenty-five (25)
feet across the front of the existing barn. He stated that this
stand would be set back at least twenty-five (25) feet from Waltham
Street; that he wished to operate the stand seven days a week until
9:00 P.M. each day; that no large signs will be erected, no flood light-
ing would be used., and that the area provided sufficient space for
the parking of automobiles off the highway.
No one appeared in oppmsition
At the close of the hearing the B d
on
of the petition
findings:
oar in private
aveto the
and voted unanimouslyiinration favor of the
session
subject
following
1, That in its judgment the public convenience and welfare
will be substantially served by
quested, the making of the exception re -
2. That the exception requested will not tend to impair
the status of the neighborhood,
3. That the exception requested will be in harmony with the
general purposes and intent of the regulations in the Lexington
Zoning By-law.
w2w
4. That owing to conditions especially affecting the said
parcel but not affecting generally the Zoning district in which
it is -located, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the
Lexington Zoning By-law as to the locus in question would involve
substantial hardship to the petitioner and that desirable relief
may be granted without substantially.derogating from the intent
or purpose of such Lexington Zoning By-law.
Pursuant to the said findings, the Board hereby unanimously
decides that the application of the Lexington Zoning By-law is
hereby varied so far as may be necessary to permit John Ferrazzani
to erect and maintain a roadside stand on�the premises owned
by Luigi Ferrazzani at 673 Waltham Street, Lexington, a structure
approximately eight (8) feet by twenty-five (25) feet extending
along the front of the barn subject to the following conditionsr
That no signs in excess of six (6) square feet shall be erected;
that there shall be no flood lighting of the premises; that
provision shall be made for the parking of automobiles off the
highway; that the premises shall be kept in a neat and orderly
condition, and that the permit shall expire May 22, 1948.
The Board hereby makes a detailed record of all its pro-
ceedings 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, includ-
ing that herein summarized, and directs that this record
immediately following this dec!_sion shall be filed in the office
of the Town Clerk of Lexington and shall be open to public
inspection,;and that notice of the 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)
/s/ Errol- H. Locke
D. E. Nickerson
Lester T. Redman
( over) Aiden L. Ripley
J. Milton Brown
I, Virginia Be Tatbel1, Clerk of the Board of Appeals
of Lexington, appointed under General Laws, Chapter 40,
Section 27, hereby certify that I sent by postage cer-
tificate of mailing on the eighth day of May 1947
to Luigi Ferrazzani, Antoinette, Louis, & Joseph Ricci,
Mrs, Mary S. Condinho, Andrew S. Domings Trustee, Olive
R. Faria, James Lima, M. Joseph, Lawrence M. & P, Edward
Carroll, Augusta J. & Lillian F. Silva, Annie T.,
Letitia and Mary F. Carroll, Marie G. Rose, Henning W.
Swenson,'and also advertised in the Lexington Minute Man
on May 8, 1947, a notice of whicIL the following is� true
copy.
/s/ Virginia Be Tarbell
Clerk, Board of Appeals.
N O T I C E
May 8, 1947
The Board of Appeals will hold a hearing on the
matter of varying the application of the Zining
By-law by permitting on the premises owned by Luigi
Ferrazzani, and located at 673 Waltham Street, Lex-
ington, the erection and maintenance of a roadside stand
for the sale of produce, under the Lexington Zoning
By - law and in accordance with General Laws, Chapter 40,
Sections 25 to 30A as amended.
The hearing will be held on May 22, 1947 at 9;00
P.M. in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building,
.Lexington, Mass.
ERROL H. LOCA
Chairman, Board of
Appeals.
May 71P 1947
Lexington Board of Zoning Appeals
Town Office Building
Lexington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen;
The undersigned hereby petitions the Lexington Board
Of Appeals, appointed under General Laws, Chapter 40,
Sections 25 to 30A as amended, to vary the application of
section 9f of the Lexington Zoning By-law with respect
to the premises at No. 673 Waltham Street, owned by Luigi
Ferrazzani of Lexington by permitting the following;
Erect and maintain a roadside stand.
John Ferrazzani
673 Waltham Street
Lexington, Mass.
39
' At 9;16 P.M.., hearing was declared open upon the
petition of Robert Dicey for permission to alter the dwelling
located at 83 Cary Avenue to accommodate two families.
Notice of the hearing was read by Mr. Redman. The
petitioner was the only person present. Notices of the hear-
ing 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. Dicey stated that he had about sixteen rooms and he
would like primarily to finish off an apartment for his mother
and father who eventually will come to live with him. This
house has been used before for two families. Mr. Dicey wants
to make a separate front entrance and to put in a bathroom.
The four rooms which he will use for this apartment are not
in use at all now.
Mr. Locke; Is this building one of the group of old
buildings that were used in connection with the operation of
the farm?
Mr.
Dicey;
At one time it was used as a home f or the
foreman
of the old Cary estate. It sets back off the road
about 200
yards
from Cary Avenue.
Mr.
Dicey also stkted that he has nine acres of land with
166 feet
of frontage on Cary Avenue.
Mr.
Locke;
You say that you have a sixteen room house?
Mr.
Dicey;
Yes.
Mr.
Locke;
A two-story building?
Mr.
Dicey;
Two stories.
Mr.
Locke;
How many rooms are being used at the present time?
Mr.
Dicey;
Seven rooms. There is a main house and an El.
Mr.
Redman;
Was this El built at the same time as the main
house?
Mr.
Dicey;
I think it was.
Mr.
Locke;
What changes would you need to make.
Mr.
Dicey;
Front entrance to the upstairs apartment.
'
Mr.
Locke;
The front entrance would be on this E1?
40
Mr. Dicey; Yes. Also I would put; bathroom '
facilities in. The back stairs are already in.
Mr. Locke; You say your family are coming to live
with you?
Mr. Dicey; They are both over seventy and plan
to come to live with me later on. When they do come., I
would like to have them live by themselves. However, in
the meantime, because there are so many people 16oking
for a place to live, I would rent the apartment.
Mr. Locke; Often times we place restrictions on a
Permit of this kind - for instance, if this were granted,
it would be only for so long as you occupied the property.
Mr. Dicey; That is all right with me. I merely want
to have the rooms finished off for my family.
Mr. Brown; There is a back stairway?
Mr. Dicey; Yes, there is one there.
Mr. Locke; It has b een used as a two -f amily house
before?
Mr. Dicey; Yes, some other family has been in there. ,
There is a sink there, water connections and connections to
the stove.
Mr. Nickerson; You intend to rent this place until
your family comes to live with you.
Mr. Dicey; Yes, provided that it is agreeable with
your Board.
Mr. Locke; How long have you owned the property?
Mr. Dicey; I bought it in 1943.
The hearing was declared closed at 9,28 P.M.
At 9;30 P.M., hearing was declared open upon the
petition of Carl F. Sweeney for permission to build a house
on a lot of land located at 47 Blossom Crest Road which will
not have the required frontage or area.
Notice of the hearing was read by Mr. Brown. There
were six persons present. Notices of the 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. Sweeney stated that his land is at the corner of
Blossom Crest Road and Blossom Street.
Mr. Locke; What is the area of your land?
Mr. Sweeney; Seventy-five foot frontage and one hundred
fifty feet deep.
Mr. Locke; part of this lot was taken for the highway.
Who ownes the rest of the property?
Mr. Sweeney; I believe the State does.
Mr. Locke; You wishtto erect another building on this lot?
Mr. Sweeney; Yes, I would like to put up a four -room
bungalow.
Mr. Locke; How would they get out?
Mr. Sweeney; They could use my driveway; theState has
given us permission to go on to the Highway.
Mr. Locke; The question comes on breaking up a lot which
is supposed to have one hundred fbet of frontage by one hundred
twenty-five feet deep. What is the size of your house.
Mr. Sweeney; 28 x 30.
Mr. Locke; This four room bungalow would be one story?
Mr. Sweeney; That is right.
Mr. Locke; Would you sell this land?
Mr. Sweeney; No, this house is for my son-in-law and my
daughter.
Mr. Redman stated that Mr. Sweeney had less than 12,500
square feet in his mh ole lot.
Mr. Fletcher, 46 Blossom Crest Road, stated that he was in
favor of granting this petition.
Mr. & Mrs. Ferreira, 806 Waltham Street, spoke in opposition
to the granting of the petition. Mrs. Ferreira said she was
quite sure that Mr. Shedd owned that small portion of Lot 34. They
feel that there is not enough room to put another building on
this lot.
42
Mr. John T. Smith (address unknown) spoke in
opposition.
Mr. Ripley; How near are you to Mr. Sweeney?
Mr. Smith; I am in the same block.
The hearing was declared closed at 9;50 P.M.
The Board considered the application of Gail. -W.
Smith. Upon motion of Mr. Nickerson, seconded by Mr.
Brown, it was unanimously voted that the application be
granted in the following form;
1
42 a
BOARD OF APPEALS PERMIT
The Board of Apneals, acting under the Lexington Zoning
By-law, and General Laws, Chapter 40, Sections 25 to 30A a8
amended, having received a written petition addressed A s
byit
Gail W. Smith
a copy Of which is hereto annexed, held a public hearing thereon
of which notice was mailed to thepetitioner arnl to the owners of
all property deemed by the Board. to be affected thereby as they
appear on the most recent -local
the Lexington tax list and also advertisedFin
Minute -Man, a newspaper published in Lexington
which hearing was held in the Selectmen's Room, in the Town Office
Building on the Twenty-second day of Ma
' Y, 1947.
Four regular and one associate
Appeals were member' of the Board'of
hereto annexed,esAttthis thearing ievid.enceewas fofferedate fonobehalf
s
Of the petitioner tending to shows That Gail W. Smith requested
permission to use the existing building located at 238 Wood Street,
Lexington, owngd by Gail W. and Helen M. Smith for use for edu-
cational purposes, including research, by the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. Mr. Smith stated that he had entered into
a purchase agreement with Massachusetts Institute of Technology
for the entire tract of land comprising of approximately forty-
five (45) acres, including the two existing buildings on this
tract of land. Horace S. Ford, Treasurer of Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and Professor M. M. Hubbard stated
that they proposed to maintain on the premises facilities "To
provide laboratory space -and facilities for graduate students,
faculty, and staff in a quiet area away from the campus. To
provide an area electrically quiet for research requiring
extremely delicate techniques. Mechanical and electrical
disturbanced (passing tarucks, trains, electrical nalte) make this
work difficult or impossible in Cambridge. To conduct conferences
Of M. I. T. and visiting scientific personnel in physics and elec-
tron-ics, with possible future establishment of seminars, colloquia,
andaduate courses. To provide space and facilities for thesis
A'the close of the hearing the Board in private session (over
On May 22, 1947
Of the petition andgave voted unanimously iinrfavor of the folation to the lowing
findings:
1. That in its judgment the public convenience and welfare
will be substantially served by the making of the exception re-
quested.
2. That the exception requested will not tend to impair
the status of the neighborhood.
tion
8 39 Thapurpthe oses and®intentrofutheed will regulationsninathenLexingtone
general p with
Zoning By-law. g
work of graduate students and possibly undergraduates. To
provide a location electrically quiet to permit continuous
recording of cosmid -ray data. In investigating certain
natural cosmic -ray phenomena, occurrences are so, infrequent
that equipment must be in operation continuously for weeks on
pend without external mechanical or electrical disturbances.
This is impossible on the present M. I. T. campus. To
measure magnetic resonances of molecules at high magnatic
.field intensities and ektremely low temperatures. To provide
a new electrostatic belt -type generator for the precise
determination of physical constants. It will not include any
industrial research or development. It will include no manu-
facturing. It will not include storage'of industrial materials.
It will not involve explosives or explosive material of any
'kind. While some equipment to be installed is heavy (batteries,
relay racks, magnets, etc.) it is not anticipated that much
trucking of materials will be involved. Present plans
forsee a possible future staff at any one time of 50 persons
on the site. Their normal hours would be 8;30 A.M. to 5;30 P.M.,
although individuals may at,times remain all night to complete
experiments. We expect to maintain cots for such personnel.
We expect to secure a caretaker for 24-hour supervision of the
permises. As soon as Federal building regulations allow and
necessary permits can be obtained, we expect to erect a six -
room cottage for a caretaker. This would be located within
one hundred to two hundred yards of the large building.
We will also wish to make interior partition changes.
Naturally we will have to rearrange electrical wiring as labor-
atory equipment is devised. A supporting structure for the
belt -type generator will be designed, No more detailed plans
have been prepared." Mr. Ford further stated that Massa-
chusetts Institute of Technology would be amenable to working
out some financial arrangement with the Town in the form
of contributions in lieu of taxes.
Two persons ppoke in favor of the granting of the petition.
No one appeared in opposition.
i
42 b
�2-
4. That owing to conditions especially affecting the said
parcel but not affecting generally the Zoning district in which
it is located, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the
Lexington Zoning By-law as to the locus in question would involve
substantial hardship to the petitioner and that desirable relief
may be granted without substantially derogating from the intent
or purpose of such Lexington Zoning By-law.
Pursuant to the said findings, the Board hereby unanimously
decides that the application of the Lexington Zoning By+law is
hereby varied so far as may be necessary to permit Massachusetts
Institute of Technology to use the entire tract of land consisting
of approximately forty-five (45) acrem which they have agreed to
purchase from Gail W.`& Helen M. Smith for educational purposed,
including research, subject to the following conditions; That the
permitted use shall not include any industrial research or develop-
ment; that there shall be no manufacturing on the premises; that
no industrial materials or explosive materials of any kind shall
be stored on the premises; that the use of the premises shall
continue for the aforesaid purposes only so long as they are owned
and operated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The Board hereby makes a detailed record of all lots pro-
ceedings 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 haaring, includ-
ing that herein summarized, and directs that this record
immediately following this decision shall be filed in the office
of the Town Clerk of Lexington and shall be open to public
inspection.;and that noticeof the decision shall be mailed
forthwith to each party in interest.
( over )
BOARD OF APPEALS OF LEXINGTON
(Acting under the Lexington Zoning
By-law and General Laws)
/s/ Errol H. Locke
D. E. Nickerson
L. T. Redman
Aiden L. Ripley
J. Millon Brown
I, Virginia B. Tarbell, Clerk of the Board of Appeals,
of Lexington, appointed under General Laws, Chapter 40,
Section 27, hereby certify that I sent by postage certificate
of mailing on the eighth day of May 1947, to Gail W. Smith,
August Schumacher, Perez Avigdor, Rene Avigdor, John D. &
JeFasie F. Polley, Jessie B. Barker, Kenneth S. & Mari M Mc-
Intire., Marie C. Maguite, Julia A. & Sally A. Byer, IHugh"
J. Maguire, Sarah E., CharlesP. & Martha Holmem3, Margaret J.
Jennings, Louise M Brog5ia & Y. Elizabeth Holton, Ralph R.
& Dorothy M. Hylan, and also advertised in the Lexington
Minute Man on May 8, 1947,"a notice of which the following
is a true copy.
/sl Virginia B. Tarbell
Clerk, Board of Appeals
N 0 T I C E
May 8, 1947
The Board of Appeals will hold a hearing on the matter
of varying the application of the Zoning By-law upon petition
of Gail W. Smith for permission to use the existing build-
ing located at 238 Wood Street, Lexington, owned by GailW.
and Helen M. Smith, for use for educational purposes, including
research, by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
under Chpater 405, Sections 25 to 30A as amended.
The hearing will be held on May 22, 1947 at 8100
p.m. in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building., Lexington,
Mass.
ERROL H. LOCKE
Chairman, Board of Appeals,.
May 11 1947
Lexington Board of Zoning Appeals
Town Office Building
Lexington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen;
The undersigned hereby petitions the Lexington Board of
Appeals, appoihted under General Laws., Chapter 40, Sections 25
to 30A as amended, to vary -the application of section 6b of the
Lexington Zoning By-law with respect to the premises at No.
238 Wood Street,•owned by Gail N. Smith and Helen M. Smith
of Lexington by permitting the following; For use for
educational purposes, including research, by Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. Gail W. Smith
Helen M. Smith
238 Wood St.
Lexington, Mass.
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology
Horace Ford, Treasurer
�1
42 c
The Board then considered the application of Mr. Sweeney.
Upon motion of Mr. Redman, seconded by Mr. Nickerson, it was
unanimously voted that the application be denied in the follow-
ing form:
BOARD OF APPEALS DENIAL
The Board of Appeals, acting under the Lexington Zoning
By-law and General Laws, Chapter 40, Sections 25 to 30A as
amended, having received a written petition addressed to it
by Carl F. Sweeney
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 Selectmen's Room,
in the Town Office Building on
May 22, 1947.
Four regular and one associate
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 Carl F. Sweeney requester
permission to build a second house on a lot of land located at 47
Blossom Crest Road, Lexington, owned by Carl F. and Gladys Sweeney.
He stated that the lot in question had a seventy-five (75) foot
frontage, with a depth of one hundred fifty (150) feet; that he
wished to erect in the rear of his residence a four -room bungalow for
his daughter and son-in-law. Town records indicate that the lot
in only seventy (70) feet wide.
One person appeared in favor and three persons spoke in opposition to
Evidence was offered on behalf of citizens opposing the
granting of the said petition tending to show: That the lot in
question had insufficient frontage and area.
At the close of the hearing the Board in private session
on May 22, 1947 gave 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.
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 in the
Lexington Zoning By-law.
4. That the enforcement of the Lexington Zoning By-law as
to the locus in question would not involve substantial hardship
to the petitioner, and the relief requested could not be granted
without substantial detriment to the public good and without
substantially derogating from the intent and purpose of such
Lexington Zoning By-laws
the granting of this petition.
.2�
Pursuant to the .said findings, the Board hereby
the said petition of Carl F. Sweeney for permission
a second dwelling on the lot in question as there is
frontage and area.
42 d
denies
to erect
insufficient
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 herein-
before set forth and the testimony presented at the said
hearing, including that herein summarized, and directs that
this record immediately following 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)
/s/ Ferrol H. Locke
D. E. Nickerson
J. Milton Brown
Aiden L. Ripley
( over ) Lester T. Redman
I, Virginia B. Tarbell, Clerk of the Board of Appeals of
Lexington, appointed under General Laws, Chapter 40, Section
27, hereby certify that I sent by postage certificate of
mailing on the eighth day of May, 1947, to Carl F. Sweeney, Peter
& Eva E. Gerard, William B. & Mabel M. Peterson, Eric S. & Agnes
D. Peterson, Carlo G. & Grace Vignale, Joseph J. Cleary, Floyd
A. & Ainsee S. Bradstreet, Bernice Vecchione, Arthur C. & Ethel
G. Fletcher, Joseph G. & Marie Rose, Michael R. oTDonnell,
Robbins Realty Trust, William T. & Mary L. Hardy, Charles R. &
Dorothy H. Parkes, Tekla Berlin, John T. & Annie E. Smith,
Emilia Terreira, Walter C. Thompson, Herbert S. Salisbury,
Robert B. Carlman, and also advertised in the Lexington Minute
Man on May 85 1947, a notice of which the following is a true
copy.
/s/ Virginia B. Tarbell
Clerk, Board of Appeals
N O T I C E
May 82 1947
The.Board of Appeals will hold a hearing on the matter•
of varying the application of the Zoning.By-law upon petition
of Carl F. Sweeney for permission to'build a house on a lot
of land located at 47 Blossom Crest Road,Lexington, owned by
Carl F. and Gladys Sweeney, as shown on a plan of land of
Blossom Crest, dated June 1916 by F. P. Cutter, C. E., on
file in.the office of the Town Engineer, which will not have
the required frontage or area under the Lexington Zoning By
law and in accordance with General Laws, Chapter 40, Sections 25
to 30A as amended.
The hearing will be held on May 22, 1947 at 9;30 P.M. in
the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, Lexington, Mass.
ERROL H. LOCKE
Chairman, Board of Appeals
May 51 1947
Lexington Board of Zoning Appeals
Town Office Building.
Lexington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen;
The undersigned hereby petitions the Lexington Board of
Appeals, appointed under General Laws,_.Chapter 40, Sections 25
to 30A -as amended, to v ary the application of section 6 a of the
Lexington Zoning By-law with respect to the premises at No. 47
Blossom Crest Road owned by Carl F. and Gladys Sweeney of
Lexington by permitting the -following: Erection of a second
dwelling on one lot of land.
Carl F. Sweeney
47 Blossom Crest Road
Lexington, Mass.
1