Facing mounting pressure to straighten out what officials bluntly term a “zoning mess,” the Planning Board decided last night that it can no longer postpone a thorough reevaluation of the wide-open Trunk Highway A (THA) and Trunk Highway B (THB) zoning designations that loosely regulate extensive commercial acreage along Route 1.
Route 1 “Strip Zoning” Overhaul and Arena Industrial Park
Building Inspector John E. Grover repeatedly urged the board to fully redefine THA and THB zones, noting that properties under these classifications currently sit on the municipal map without specific restrictions—allowing landowners to erect anything from retail storefronts to manufacturing plants. While developer-investor Frank R. Simoni recommended merely establishing a 100-foot highway setback requirement, Town Counsel Justin C. Barton and Inspector Grover warned that simple setbacks would only compound existing dissatisfaction with shallow “strip zoning.”
The planning board voted 4-1 to meet on September 27 with Town Engineer Robert A. Hamilton to devise a corrective strategy through comprehensive zoning revisions or outright rezoning, with Chairman Thomas A. Riolo indicating that Route 1 abutters may subsequently be consulted.
In a related major development, James H. Shane, board chairman of Appendagez Inc. (Faded Glory clothing distributors), formally presented plans for the proposed “Park Place” industrial park on the 220 buildable acres of the Norwood Arena site. Shane announced that roughly 8 or 10 acres will house a two-story glass and brick-faced Faded Glory office building and adjoining warehouse designed with potential for future expansion. While employment numbers will grow beyond the firm’s current 320 Norwood workers, Shane noted specific construction costs and labor projections remain uncalculated. Chairman Riolo praised the proposal enthusiastically, declaring, “I like Shane’s proposal. I think it means more jobs for the people of Norwood and more tax revenue.”
Housing Authority Honors Petrovek and Other Town News
In other municipal matters, the Norwood Housing Authority recently honored August “Gus” Petrovek Jr. for his nine years of dedicated service as the state-appointed member of the board. Housing Authority Chairman John C. Adelmann presented Petrovek with an engraved plaque recognizing his faithful service during a tenure marked by the completion of 152 apartments across two elderly housing developments on Nahatan Street. Petrovek, of 33 Granite St., has been succeeded by former selectman Michael J. Curran, an appointment of the Dukakis administration.
Additional local updates include:
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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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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Workers Begin PCB Cleanup At Contaminated Norwood Field-June 24, 1983
As Senator Edward M. Kennedy and CDC Director William H. Foege slate a joint emergency inspection, local authorities organize free public blood testing at Town Hall.
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Norwood Senior Citizens Log Impressive Mileage in Walking Fitness Program-August 14, 1982
Sixteen Norwood seniors were honored by Recreation Director Robert Ivatts and William F. Butters for logging high mileage in a new walking fitness program.
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John Shalbey Leads Community Drive to Clean South Norwood Railroad Bridges-July 29, 1981
John Shalbey, president of Rojo car wash on Route 1, organized a community-backed cleanup drive for the Subway Hill and Dean Street railroad bridges in South Norwood.
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Norwood Registry Office Closure-July 28, 1981
The impending closure of the Norwood Registry of Motor Vehicles sparked swift backlash from local lawmakers, while town boards debated industrial park funding and hotel expansions.
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Talk of the Town-July 20, 1981
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Students Take Reins For Town Government Day-June 9, 1981
School Committee Pledges Paint And Textbook Inventory To Student Delegates The utilitarian gray paint covering the walls of the Norwood High School cafeteria may soon be replaced with student-designed artwork following a successful session of the annual town student government day . High school students who were elected by their sophomore and junior peers to…
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The Issue Of Video Licenses-June 9, 1981
In June 1981, Norwood officials crack down on incoming electronic amusement requests, fearing a “video fever” arcade atmosphere downtown.
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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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Zoning Board Stalls Decision on Proposed $3 Million Caldor Shopping Center-August 20, 1980
The zoning board delayed its decision on a proposed $3 million Caldor shopping center on Route 1 after discovering developers omitted a crucial traffic permit for Carnegie Road amid fierce local opposition.
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