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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Late July Completion Date Hoped For Portion Of Electrical Project-June 23, 1970
A massive local utility overhaul transitions the town’s power grid to save thousands in wholesale electricity costs.
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Norwood Kills Funds For School Addition-June 26, 1969
Voters approve a $1,000 Endean Park drainage compromise and reverse a zoning rule to relocate Carl A. Johnson’s Norwood Cadillac Co. along Route 1.
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Harry B. Butters Testimonial Committee To Meet Tonight-June 24, 1969
Officials announce ticket pricing and a late-summer sales window for the upcoming civic banquet slated for September at Route 1’s Roll-Land Hall.
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Norwood Voters To Consider Lighting Funds-June 26, 1968
The Finance Commission backs the utility expansion alongside a $163,000 sewer construction article, while the town master plan is deferred.
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Norwood Planners To Postpone Article On Master Plan-June 25, 1968
Planners vote unanimously to defy a Finance Commission veto, taking an eight-thousand-dollar intersection study request straight to town meeting.
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FinCom Recommends $2.5-Million Expenditure-June 21, 1968
A massive infrastructure recommendation heading to a special town meeting could alter Norwood’s utility footprint and spark eminent domain protests.
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Residents Oppose Planned Electricity Lines-June 19, 1968
A tense municipal standoff unfolded in June 1968 when neighborhood homeowners confronted Norwood Light Superintendent William J. Kates over eminent domain land takings for a two-mile power line extension.
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Building Permits Double Over Previous Year as Construction Rebounds from 1966 Low-August 14, 1967
Bolstered by available mortgage money and a major Star Market warehouse permit, Norwood building valuation reached $2.25 million for the first half of 1967, outpacing the previous year.
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Norwood Planning Board Approaches Route 1 Zoning Solution-July 11, 1967
Planning Board Addresses Route 1 Zoning Violations On July 11, 1967, the Norwood Planning Board held a productive meeting with local residents to address long-standing zoning violations along Route 1. ⠀ The proposed resolution, introduced by Town Engineer Robert A. Hamilton, involves rezoning all commercially owned properties situated between East Cross Street and Dean Street…
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Industrial Commission Welcomes Star Service Hub-June 30, 1967
Following 50 intensive town meetings to resolve department regulations, developers project the new multi-million square foot industrial hub will lower Norwood’s local tax rate.
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