HomeMy WebLinkAbout1933-06-05PLANNING BOARD HEARING
' PETITION OF ROBERT L. INNIS
June 5, 193
A public hearing was held in the SeAeotments Room of the Town Office
Building on Monday evening, June 5, 1933, on the petition of Robert L.
Innis for a change from a 0-1 Zone to an M-1 Zone of the land bounded by
Grant Street, the Boston and Maine Railroad, and property of the Town of
Lexington and of Caroline A. Harrington.
Mr, Duffy read the petition, and the notice of hearing which had been
published in the Lexington Minuteman and also mailed to 122 prgperty
owners. The petition was signed by the owners of more than 50% in valua-
tion of property in the area which had been designated by the Board, and
a certificate to that effect by the Board of Assessors was attached.
Mr. Innis explained that he is in partnership with a Mr. McLennan;
and that the plan is to tear down the present wooden buildings fronting
on Grant Street, replacing them with a brick building which would house
an ice -manufacturing plant. He stated that the plant, when in full oper-
ation, would make "no more noise than a Singer Sewing -machine." He intro-
duced Mr. Ziehmm, anSX engineer representing the Frick Company who are to
furnish and install the machinery, consisting of two motor -driven com-
pressors with a capacity of twenty-five tons of ice per day. He showed a
front elevation of the proposed building, which would cost about $30000.
with the equipment; the size of the building id to be 35 feet by 97 feet.
Town water is to be used for mak$ ng the ice, and well -water for cooling
the compressors. Mr. Innis stated further that the A. G. Davie Ice Co.,
'under which name the business is operated, also sells ice in Billerica;
-and that at present, because of the burning of their ice -house, they are
purchasing ice in North Cambridge. In answer to a question by Mr. Milne,
Mr. Ziehmm replied that the length of haul from such source makes little if
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any difference in the selling -price of ice; that it had originally been
' planned to locate this plant in Billerica but that it was finally decided
that it would be better to combine it with the present recently -built
garage on the Lexington property, this being the original location of
the Davis business, which has been occupied for many years.
Mr. Duffy remarked that although this particular manufacturing pro-
cess may not be of an objectionable nature, the creation of a manufac-
turing zone does not carry any restrictions that would prevent, at some
future time, an occupancy by some other business which perhops would be
objectionable. In answer to a question by Mr. Innis as to the status of
the Edison Sub -station nearly opposite his property, it was explained
that the former las established before the Zoning -law went into effect
and re&ains as a non -conforming use.
Mr. T. A. Custance then spoke in favor of the change, saying that
he considers it a worthwhile business; and in view of the fact that Mr.
Innis now has permanent new buildings in that location, he can be reason—
ably allowed to develop his business further, providing that does not
Prove detrimental to the neighborhood.
It was further stated that the plant will employ not more than four
men; that the company is now using nine trucks and two -horses, and that
there is no likelihood of more being added. Mr. Ziehmm said that the
only part of the equipment of the ptoposed plant that wears out is the
cans or tanks, the life of which is 12 to 15 years. Refrigerating -pipes
are welded steel and practically indestructible.
Four citizens were present, but none spoke further nor indicated
any objection to the granting of the petition.
' The hearing was declared closed at 9:30 o'clock.
Clerk
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PLANNING BOARD MEETING
JUNE 5, 1933
A meeting of the Planning Board was held Monday evening, June 5,
1933, following the Innis hearing. Messrs. Duffy, Glynn, Kimball,
Milne, and Robinson were present; also the secretary.
INNIS PETITION
A discussion of the hearing brought out the opinion that if a
change to an M-1 District is allowed in this case, property -owners in
the rear of this location are likely to ask for similar changes; although
it is a fact that the Innis -Davis property has been an ice -distributing
point form=* years, and a new building, even though used for the mann-
facture of ice, might be an improvement to the neighborhood. It__was_sug-
gested that the Zoning -law might be changed to allow ice -manufacturing
in a 0-1 Zone; but the idea was not favored by the Board. Messrs. Glynn
and Milne objected to plavi.ng an M-1 Zone here because it would result
in "spotty" zoning and might encourage similar petitions for other parts
of the Towp. Mr. Glynn said further that when Mr. Innis appeared before
the Board of Appeals, the plan he presented showed a line of stores
fronting on Grant Street, with no indication of a manufacturing project.
Mr. Glynn was also of the opinion that since the retail price of ice to
townspeople will be the same, whether the ice is made here or elsewhere,
there appears to be no public necessity to be considered.
Upon motion by Mr. Milne, seconded by Mr. Glynn, it was unanimously
VOTED : "That the Planning Board recommend that the Zoning By-law be
not changd from a 0-1 to an M-1 District."
DUNHAM LAYOUT
Mr. Duffy read a letter from the Board of Selectmen asking for the
Planning Board's recommendations with respect to the layout of the Dunham'
Property on Woburn Street. The Town Engineer favors the extension of
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' Fernald Street; but Mr. Duffy recommended that the north and east
routes through the property be established now, laying out Dunham
Street and perhaps Young Street parallel with Woburn Street, but
leaving the development of a final plan until sufficient additional
data are available. A letter to Mr. Trask, outlining this recom-
mendation, was dictated.
A letter to Mr. Hartman was also written, telling him that
his bill for services tnax in connection with drafting the pro—
posed amendments to the Zoning By—law, in the amount of $50.00,
had been passed for payment, and he would doubtless receive a
check from the Town within a few days.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 o'clock.
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Clerk