During the July 16, 1985 meeting of the Norwood Conservation Commission, developer James Shane appeared to request a postponement of a ruling regarding a set of modified plans for the proposed Park Place South Industrial Park, located on Route 1. James Shane announced his intention to withdraw his original proposal for a 250,000-square-foot office and warehouse complex in favor of a scaled-down project totaling 150,000 square feet. This modification, he explained, involves a reduction in the size of the wetlands footprint, a tactical move intended to expedite the regulatory approval process. James Shane highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that any project encompassing more than 10 acres of wetlands triggers state-level environmental review, a process that can extend over two years. By reducing the scope of the project, he hopes to secure authorization to begin construction immediately.
The history of the Park Place South Industrial Park is marked by extensive legal and regulatory challenges. Although the commission initially granted approval for the development in 1982, the Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE) subsequently rejected the project. James Shane successfully challenged the DEQE decision in court, resulting in the ruling being overturned. During last night’s session, the board voted 4-1 to postpone a decision on the modified plans until its August 6, 1985 meeting, citing the need for additional time to thoroughly review the changes.
Clement Riley, a commission member, expressed opposition to the delay, characterizing the modifications as minor and ultimately beneficial to the town. James Shane, however, remained patient, stating, “I can’t argue with starting now, or waiting a couple of weeks, to give you more thought. I have waited three years already to get it through the courts.” Separately, the commission denied a certificate of compliance to developer Stan Whitten for a 30,000-square-foot warehouse on Oceania Street, near the Westwood town line. Fire Chief Thomas Barry explained that the denial was necessary because the warehouse driveway requires alterations to ensure adequate access for the Fire Department.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood Appeals Board Grants Special Permit for 18-Hole Golf Course Off Route 1-August 8, 1973
The Norwood Board of Appeals approved a special permit for developer Frank R. Simoni to construct a 97-acre, 18-hole golf course off Route 1 near Access Road and the Norwood Airport.
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Norwood Shuffled in State Senate Redistricting Proposals to Fix Constitutional Flaw-August 1, 1973
A reporting discovery by The Patriot Ledger revealed a major geographical flaw in a proposed State Senate redistricting map, forcing a last-minute shuffle of Norwood’s voting precincts.
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Seeds Of Vast Industrial Development Planted-July 10, 1973
On July 10, 1973, the industrial committee in Norwood underwent a significant reorganization, appointing local developer Robert L. Rizzo as chairman and establishing a five-member steering committee to promote business and industry within the town. ⠀ The committee’s primary focus was to advance a plan for “garden-type industrial development” on a large parcel of land…
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$1.8 Million in Major Traffic and Safety Improvements Recommended-September 1, 1972
Comprehensive Traffic and Safety Overhaul Recommended for Norwood in Final Federal TOPICS Report A comprehensive and exhaustive final engineering report, recently delivered to local town selectmen, has outlined a sweeping, multi-faceted proposal to dramatically overhaul Norwood’s municipal road network, upgrade intersection safety, and alleviate escalating vehicular congestion throughout the community. Prepared by the prominent Chestnut…
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Norwood Selectmen Delay Walpole Sewer Tie-In Amid Flooding Concerns and Scrutinize Police Logs-August 2, 1972
The Norwood Board of Selectmen delayed a proposed Walpole sewer tie-in agreement over flooding concerns, while Selectman William F. Butters clashed with Police Chief James M. Murphy over police logs.
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Low-Income Housing Site Search Continues-June 21, 1971
While Pellana Road plans are dropped after resident protests, the town advances an 80-unit Nahatan Street senior complex.
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Eminent Domain Pond Taking Considered-June 16, 1971
A marathon Selectmen session brings high-profile legal standoffs over Norwood Arena noise limits alongside a $350,000 real estate deadlock.
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Comprehensive Route 1 Zoning Overhaul Proposed Following Impact Study-June 11, 1971
Massive commercial shifts are coming to Route 1. The Planning Board prepares to unveil a sweeping zoning plan designed to regulate growth near the new stadium.
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Housing Authority Forced to Abandon Two Sites for Low-Income Family Housing-August 7, 1970
acing strict rezoning hurdles on Pellana Road and prohibitive development costs in the Sumner-Union Street wetlands, the Norwood Housing Authority dropped two prospective sites for its 20-unit family housing initiative.⠀
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Police Investigate Twin Burglaries-July 27, 1970
On the sweltering summer evening of July 27, 1970, Sgt. Nicholas J. Connolly of the Norwood Police Department was alerted to a potential break-in at the Norwood Texaco Station, located at 305 Providence Highway. Upon arriving at the scene, he discovered a window shattered on an overhead door, a clear indication that the perpetrators had…
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