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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Proposed $3 Million Caldor Shopping Center on Route 1 Clears Zoning Board of Appeals-September 10, 1980
The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approves the proposed $3 million Caldor shopping center on Route 1, subject to strict traffic safety conditions and state DPW review.
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Conservation Commission Faces Angry Residents Over Proposed Washington Street Auto Body Shop-August 8, 1979
Amid fierce opposition from South Norwood homeowners concerned over Hawes Brook flooding and pollution hazards, the Norwood Conservation Commission reviewed safety plans for a proposed auto body shop on Washington Street.
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Zoppo Realty Trust Petitions for Rezoning at Route 1 and Union Street-July 17, 1979
The planning board heard initial plans for a potential small industrial park, though a final decision was deferred to allow for feedback from Walpole residents.
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Selectmen Postpone Decision on Norwood Police Towing Contract-July 11, 1979
Towing Controversy Continues On July 11, 1979, the ongoing controversy regarding police department towing contracts returned to the forefront of local governance as Norwood selectmen held a public hearing regarding an application by A. Civitarese & Sons, owners of the South Norwood Exxon station. The town currently contracts with 17 authorized towers to manage requests…
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Norwood Considers Limits on Yard and Garage Sales-This Day in Norwood History-May 27, 1978
Did you know that backyard yard sales were technically illegal in Norwood under a strict reading of 1970s zoning laws? To resolve a wave of neighbor complaints about perpetual weekend flea markets, town officials stepped in to draft a new permit system. Discover how close Norwood came to capping your summer garage sale finds.
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Polaroid Corp Granted Trailer Permit by Norwood Zoning Board-August 17, 1977
The Norwood Zoning Board of Appeals has granted a special permit to Polaroid Corp for temporary trailers despite opposition from local neighbors.
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Norwood Aged Housing Project Gets Approvals-July 19, 1977
The zoning board of appeals made a pivotal decision on the evening of July 19, 1977, unanimously granting a special exception and two variances to permit the construction of a proposed 72-unit housing project for the elderly at 52 Dean Street. This development, spearheaded by Richard R. Vazza of West Roxbury, aimed to provide affordable…
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Burger King Proposal Revived for Route 1 Site of Art Johnson’s Food Stand-July 29, 1976
A revived Burger King proposal for the Route 1 and Everett Street site of Art Johnson’s food stand faced review by the Norwood planning board.
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Norwood Hospital’s Proposed Parking Lot at Washington and Winter Streets Draws Heavy Fire-August 13, 1975
Norwood Hospital’s request for a zoning variance to build a 44-car parking lot at Washington and Winter Streets drew sharp opposition from planning board representative Francis Wisgirda and neighborhood residents over zoning, traffic, and safety concerns.
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Housing Zone Plan Up In Air-July 30, 1974
In July 1974, Norwood’s housing authority and planning board clashed over a proposed housing zone plan for Nahatan Village aimed at senior and low-income housing.
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