Moving a special town meeting closer to reality, the Planning Board held public hearings on three proposed zoning articles and voted to draft a fourth during a busy session.
Housing for the Elderly and Zoning Amendments
On behalf of the Norwood Housing Authority, the board conducted hearings on two interconnected measures designed to pave the way for 104 additional units of subsidized housing for the elderly:
- Special Multi-Family Zone: Creating a restricted multi-family zone applicable solely to state-subsidized elderly housing, which would mandate one parking space per three dwelling units and lower area requirements (recognizing that only one in three elderly residents owns a car).
- Parcel Rezoning: Rezoning two small lots to multi-family use to annex them to existing authority land.
Housing Authority Executive Director Lawrence J. O’Brien and counsel John J. Mulvehill reported that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) gave tentative approval for the $2 million project designed by architect William Nelson Jacobs Associates of Boston. Mulvehill noted that land scarcity near shopping, churches, and transportation necessitated taking small parcels by eminent domain, totaling around 15,000 square feet.
While East Cross Street resident Richard Flaherty and appeals board member Emilie Moses voiced concerns over granting “carte blanche” or creating high-density “elderly ghettoes,” board members took the proposals under advisement.
Building Inspector Grover Pushes Trailer Ban Bylaw
Building Inspector John E. Grover appeared before the board to press for adoption of a stringent zoning bylaw banning the use of trailers in town for storage or living quarters. Grover stressed that the bylaw is urgently needed for the “prevention of fire, preservation of life and morals,” noting that commercial firms store goods in tax-free trailers. Furthermore, Grover warned that the town will automatically adopt the state building code on January 1st, making it vital to codify local trailer restrictions beforehand.
Under the proposed bylaw, recreational trailers and business storage trailers would be prohibited, restricting trailer parking to enclosed garages on the rear half of residential lots. The board also took under advisement a plan by builder Robert L. Rizzo to construct 14 duplex houses on a proposed road off Dean Street in the Richland Road area, despite objections from 11 neighboring residents.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
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Norwood Hospital Expansion Likely to Target Civic Center Site-July 13, 1976
The expansion aims to address the critical need for increased bed capacity, support services, and advanced medical units, as outlined by consulting firm Medicus Planning, Inc.
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Neighbors Ask Zoning Board to Approve Variances for Winter Street Condominium Project-September 2, 1987
In an unusual display of consensus, residents from the Winter Street area appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeal to urge approval of zoning variances allowing developer James Brolly to construct a 22-unit residential condominium complex just three feet from adjacent property lines, well short of the normally required 25-foot buffer zone. Neighborhood Compromise Over…
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McDonald’s Requests Special Permit for Broadway Drive-Through Window-September 2, 1987
An attorney representing the McDonald’s restaurant located at 32 Broadway in Norwood Center appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeal to request a special permit for the installation of a drive-through window. If approved, it would become the fourth drive-through facility established at local fast-food establishments following a contentious town meeting vote in May that…
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Owner of Norwood Site Says He Was Unaware of Gravel Removal-July 24, 1985
The Norwood Zoning Board of Appeals clashed with property owner Paul C. Balboni over unpermitted gravel excavation at a University Avenue site flagged by Building Inspector John Grover.
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Turnpike Lumber Yard Property Sold to Neighboring Supply Firm-June 24, 1983
The commercial expansion follows two destructive, suspected arson fires that completely leveled the historic lumber yard buildings last year.
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Norwood Briefs: Taxi Subsidy, East Hoyle Street Grant, Elks Parking, and Senior Activities-August 26, 1982
Norwood prepares to launch a taxi subsidy program for seniors and handicapped residents, receives a state grant to widen East Hoyle Street, and denies the Elks Club parking expansion.
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Star Market Withdraws Storage Permit Request Following Major Cardboard Warehouse Fire-July 29, 1981
Following a massive fire that took firefighters over 12 hours to extinguish, Star Market withdrew its permit request to store recycled cardboard at University Avenue.
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Zoning Board Approves Phase II of Norwood Hospital Expansion-June 24, 1981
A heated dispute erupts between board members and Building Inspector John E. Grover over a lack of formal advisory feedback on preliminary plans.
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Selectmen Demand Good Faith Deposit for Winslow School Sale-June 13, 1981
Board Votes 4-1 to Protect Town Interests Against Developer’s Office Condominium Project as blue Law Video Games Approved The Board of Selectmen have voted 4-1 to formally demand an $8,000 cash deposit from the prospective buyers of the former Winslow School to legally bind a proposed $325,500 real estate purchase. Town Counsel Justin C. Barton…
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Winslow Office Plan Gets Official Backing-June 9, 1981
Norwood officials clear the path to transform the closed Winslow School into professional office condominiums, winning broad neighborhood support.
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