A Joint Public Hearing of the City Council and Planning Board was held in the Council Chamber on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing an amendment to the Zoning map to extend the B-5 Central Development District to include the property located at 38 Washington Square South.
Also to amend the Zoning map for the property located at 43 Bridge Street to be changed from B-4 District to R-2 District.
Notice of this meeting was posted on October 10, 2014 at 10:51 A.M. and advertised in the Salem News on October 6, 2014 & October 13, 2014.
Councillor Siegel was recorded as absent.
President Robert K. McCarthy presided.
President McCarthy introduced the members of the Planning Board and planning staff member.
Planning Board members Ben Anderson, William Griset, Jr., Noah Koretz, Charles Puleo and Matthew Veno. And City Planner Lynn Duncan and Planning staff member Erin Shaffer.
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Zoning map amendment to extend the B-5 Central Development District to include the property located at 38 Washington Square South.
APPEARING IN FAVOR WERE THE FOLLOWING:
Attorney William Quinn representative for 38 Washington Square state the property is owned by the Hawthorne Hotel it was purchased in 2012. The house is near the O’Donnell Funeral Home. The house needs to be renovated and there will be six rooms to rent as an overflow from the Hawthorne Hotel. The current zoning doesn’t allow for use regulation, so zoning needs to be changed to B-5 and be consistent with other uses around it. We are requesting zoning change to
the map to extend the B-5 Zone. The Hotel will not be using it for weddings outdoors. It will only be used to have rooms for guests of the hotel. Judy Lederhouse is here from the hotel and glad to answer any questions.
There was no one appearing in favor in the audience.
Councillor McCarhty questioned he wants to understand the B-5 he asked is that the only one we can do or is it spot zoning?
Councillor O’Keefe questioned does new owners expect any parking changes to Washington Square south?
Attorney Quinn stated no.
Councillor Eppley stated he is in full support.
Councillor Famico asked how many rooms in the hotel?
The answer was 89 rooms in the hotel and 130 parking spaces.
Councillor Famico asked Lynn Duncan City Planner how many current number of hotel rooms will be added in the next couple of years at Dodge Street.
Lynn Duncan replied there is Dodge Street but don’t know the number
Mr. Anderson asked there is another property behind this property that is owned by the Hotel will the lots be combined?
Attorney Quinn asked the manager for the Hotel Julie Leaderhouse to elaborate.
Julie Lederhouse stated there is a plan to take down the chain link fence in order to do new plantings. The owner of the Hotel craves beauty and he will make the landscape beautiful.
Mr. Anderson asked is there a plan for the side yard?
Ms. Lederhouse state no just to beautify
Mr. Anderson asked if there is a plan to extend the parking lot?
Ms. Lederhouse replied no.
Councillor Furey commented that this is a great venue.
Ms. Lederhouse stated the plan is to make it our nicest rooms and to beautify the bathrooms.
Councillor Gerard asked if it will have 6 guest rooms?
Ms. Lederhouse stated yes and 4 at 98 Essex Street.
Attorney Quinn stated this is in a historic district and the architect will even work to make the handicap accessibility fit into the historic district to make it look like it’s always been there.
There was no one recorded in opposition.
Councillor Famico moved that the hearing be closed. It was so voted.
Councillor Famico moved that the matter be referred to the Planning Board for their recommendation. It was so voted.
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Zoning map amendment for the property located at 43 Bridge Street to be changed from B-4 District to R-2 District.
APPEARING IN FAVOR WERE THE FOLLOWING:
Attorney Stephen Lovely on behalf of the developer Joe Smerski. He is currently building 2 houses on Massey Way. This building is the old Salem Plumbing building. It is 13 Planters Street the lot is currently R-2 and want to exted the zone. We tried to save the building but it has seen better days. The owner of the building is Ralph Sevinor. This has been a long process and we met with the Planner and previously Councillor Sosnowski. This is our first official step to get the zoning changed. At a meeting last Tuesday, we met with 30 neighbors and don’t believe there is any opposition. Several neighbors are present tonight. This is a continuation of the R-2 zone and we want to build some housing . There is nothing in Salem for first time buyers.
Councillor O’Keefe questioned what about Morris Weinberg at #41.
Attorney Lovely stated #41 was sold.
Councillor Gerard asked if just #43 will be R-2?
Attorney Lovely stated the entire parcel is to be R-2 and the building will be taken down.
Councillor Legault asked how old is the building.
Attorney Lovely state it was built in 1890, the building behind it was built in the 1970’s. The plan is all on Planters Street.
Councillor Famico asked what will the square footage be of the homes and parking and how many bedrooms?
Attorney Lovely stated three bedrooms, the length is 300 feet long 57 feet wide. Similar to the lots on the street now.
Councillor Famico asked could you give a rough estimate for price?
Betsy Merry Real Estate Agent stated $329,000 for family starting out and 6 houses.
Chuck Puleo of Planning Board stated what is the square footage of a lot
Attorney Lovely stated 3,000 square feet on average.
Mr. Anderson stated his concern is Bridge Street any resident turning building to change to residential should it look odd in an area that is commercial?
Attorney Lovely stated there is no need for a business, most neighborhoods had Mom and Pop stores that are now converted to housing.
Mr. Anderson voiced his concern with urban planning and taking away from commercial opportunity.
Attorney Lovely stated that quite a few old businesses have been changed over and that he understands Mr. Andersons point with neighborhood shops.
Mr. Anderson stated he wondered if retail could be on the street with residential above.
Attorney Lovely stated that some places tried to do that on the second floor of some businesses but it’s not allowed by zoning.
Chuck Puleo Planning Board Chairman asked do you have a map of all of Bridge Street and is zoning the same on all of the street.
Attorney Lovely responded there is a mix of residential but he doesn’t recall.
Lynn Duncan City Planner stated we can get a zoning map and Bridge Street is definitely a mix. I don’t know if there is a mixed use.
Councillor Legault stated that Planters Street is a heavily traveled street and very much neglected. It’s not being taken care of and the trash needs to be cleaned up. But I don’t want to miss this opportunity.
Attorney Lovely stated the neighbors are in favor.
Councillor Sargent commented if you peel away businesses there is residential. This is a good thing.
Councillor Famico stated I went door to door to get feedback and they are in favor.
Matt Veno Planning Board member stated this doesn’t seem like a real stretch to me. If you look at this area there’s a good deal of residential properties.
There was no one recorded as opposed.
Councillor Famico moved that the hearing be closed. It was so voted.
Councillor Famico moved that the matter be referred to the Planning Board for their recommendation. It was so voted.
On the motion of Councillor O’Keefe the hearing was adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK
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