A Public Hearing of the City Council and Planning Board was held in the Council Chamber on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 6:30 P.M. for the purpose of discussing a proposed Zoning Amendment to consider creating a Conservation Overlay District in the City of Salem for the boundaries of Highland Park. Notice of this meeting was posted on May 3, 2004 at 11:06 A.M. and advertised in the Salem News on April 28, and May 5, 2004.
Council President O’Leary, Councillors Bencal, O’Leary, Sargent, Furey and O’Keefe were recorded as absent
Council President Kevin R. Harvey presided.
On the matter of the proposed Zoning Amendment to consider creating a Conservation Overlay District in the City of Salem for the boundaries of Highland Park.
Council President Harvey asked if there was anyone appearing in favor.
Al Levesque – 77 Leach Street stated that he was in favor of this zoning amendment.
Mary Levesque – 77 Leach Street also stated she was in favor.
Dick Wilke – stated he was in favor of this zoning amendment. He stated that the controversy of council overstepping their bounds is unfounded. The Park and Recreation Commission are not elected officials. He stated he believed they are failing in their mission to preserve park land. The zoning change in his opinion is necessary.
David Pelletier – 12 Crombie Street stated he is in favor of the zoning change. In 1906 the City got Highland Park which was a lot larger than today. Then the city needed a high school so they took a portion to build the high school. Our open space is disappearing. We’ve given away all our open space.
Council President Harvey recognized former Ward 5 Councillor Kimberley Driscoll.
Betsy Barnes – 22 Beckford Street stated she is in favor.
Dolores Jordan – stated places of natural beauty should be left alone. It’s used by many people and needs to be protected.
Holly Wood – 7 Cedar Street stated she appreciated the time and effort in this ordinance. It’s sad to divide this city over this issue. Very few golfers have appeared to voice their side. There are people in the woods all the time taking pictures of the woods, hiking, and families taking nature walks with children. We need to protect it. Use this tool, the overlay district to protect the woods. She is in favor.
Jean Stella – 2 Willow Avenue stated on Sundays she teaches scouts about plants with Scout Master Steve Dibble. Teacher Liz Rogers taught two classes about insects living in a dead tree stump. You can’t get that in a classroom.
Chris Burke – Thanked the City Council for their patience on this issue. He showed a map of the area that would be the conservation area. The footprint of this area hasn’t changed since 1930. Acres of it are developed. Red maples are natural to the woods. The Mayor asked not to pass this that there’s plenty of room for a driving range. There should be a limit on what is to be developed.
Kimberley Driscoll – Thanked the Council. She stated the biggest reason to do this is to end this issue. Put closure to it. Park and Recreation can look into better access for people. She asked when is the Planning Board hearing?
Councillor Harvey stated the Planning Board will hold their public hearing before June 12th.
Mark Burns – 18 Aurora Lane stated it’s incredible how many species of birds are in the woods. Even giving up 1 or 2 acres would have an impact.
Linda Haley – 43 Turner Street stated she supports protecting the woods and the water shed. She stated we are lucky to have the woods, make it tough for anyone to take.
Resident of 18 Linden Street stated he was in favor.
David Pelletier – 12 Crombie Street stated use of the Salem Commons was turned over to the Park and Recreation Department let the City Council take over Salem Woods. Take it away and put it under the City Council.
Holly ---- 7 Cedar Street stated that grant money could be raised to build the trails with volunteers.
Jody Smith – 4 Pickering Street stated that adults also enjoy the woods.
Councillor Veno moved to Close the Public Hearing. It was so voted.
Councillor Veno - thanked Chris Burke and people for sticking this out. This area doesn’t need improvement maybe upgrades. We need to follow the right process to put this issue to rest.
Councillor Lovely – supported the keeping of the woods. Now we wait for the Planning Board’s decision and lets get it done. This body has it in their purview to do this.
Councillor Sosnowski – stated he held his comments, the frustration level of appointed boards with contrary decisions. This land was gifted to the city to preserve it as a park. To change this is a violation of trust. He stated he supports this ordinance change.
Councillor Pelletier – motion to refer the matter to the Planning Board for their recommendation.
The motion was adopted by roll call vote of 6 yeas, 0 nays, 5 absent. Councillors Corchado, Harvey, Lovely, Pelletier, Sosnowski and Veno were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Bencal, O’Leary, Sargent, Furey, and O’Keefe were recorded as absent.
Councillor Lovely moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
Councillor Pelletier stated after listening to public, the administration should come on board with this. He thanked the friends of Salem Woods and Mr. David Pelletier.
Councillor Veno gave an oral reading of Councillor Furey for his opinion.
Councillor Corchado moved that the matter be referred to the Planning Board for their recommendation. It was so voted.
On the motion of Councillor Corchado the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
ACTING CITY CLERK
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