The Planning Board voted 3-1 to recommend approval of a warrant article for the upcoming special town meeting submitted by Norwood Arena Inc. to rezone the rear portion of its Route 1 property from light manufacturing to multi-dwelling residential.
Multi-Family Rezoning and Heated Board Debate
The approved zoning amendment clears the path for a proposed 540-unit apartment complex on the rear acreage of the Route 1 property. During the proceedings, planner Thomas F. Cavanaugh moved for an immediate vote supporting the article, asserting, “Industry pays taxes, too,” and was backed by Chairman James T. O’Sullivan and member Thomas A. Riolo.
However, the vote provoked a sharp outburst. Outraged at the board’s decision, Cavanaugh bolted from his seat, grabbed his coat, and stormed out of the basement hearing room without a word. Shouting from the corridor as he departed, Cavanaugh warned, “I intend to take suit to claim my rights.”
Chairman O’Sullivan defended the board’s action, rejecting demands to place restrictive conditions on the approval: “We can’t place conditions on our approvals like the appeals board. We have to decide whether this is the best use for the land.” Board of Appeals Chairman George M. Eysie suggested recommending the rezoning on the condition that the complex provide a direct access road to Route 95 in the rear, but O’Sullivan rebuffed the suggestion.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Talk of the Town-April 26, 1962
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Talk of the Town-April 27, 1961
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Red Cummings Takes Second Place In Labor Day Classic-September 12, 1957
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Trophy Races At Norwood Arena Saturday-August 15, 1957
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Disc Jockeys To Drive At Norwood Arena-August 1, 1957
WBZ-TV “Boston Movie Time” host Alan Dary, after defeating BZ’s Norm Prescott star of “Best Music in Boston” at golf, has challenged Prescott to a race at Norwood Arena. The management of the Norwood Arena has made August 3, Saturday night the “duel” date. Top Bombers have been borrowed from professional drivers by the North…
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“Mad-Merry-Go-Round” Returns to Norwood Arena-This Day in Norwood History-July 18, 1957
This Day in Norwood History-July 18, 1957-“Mad-Merry-Go-Round” Returns to Norwood Arena
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