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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Selectmen Split Over Amusement Game Permits at Sport Center and Local Restaurants-August 6, 1980
In a close 3–2 vote, Norwood selectmen approved 10 electronic game machines at Norwood Sport Center after concerns about creating a “penny arcade” atmosphere. A similar request from Papa Gino’s for a single Space Invader machine was denied, with officials distinguishing between recreation‑based and dining‑based establishments.
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Nassau Gardens Residents Form Nonprofit Housing Cooperative and Purchase Complex-August 17, 1979
Nassau Gardens tenants launched a subscription drive to purchase their 204-unit Route 1 apartment complex through a nonprofit housing cooperative backed by a $4 million HUD agreement.
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Factory Mutual Breaks Ground on $7 Million Conference and Training Center on Route 1 in Norwood-August 11, 1979
Joined by Governor Edward J. King, Factory Mutual Engineering executives broke ground on a $7 million conference, training center, and five-story private hotel on Route 1.
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Reliance Electric Company Relocates Regional Service Center to Norwood-July 17, 1979
Reliance Electric Company is moving its regional industrial motor repair center from South Boston to the Park Place industrial park off Route 1.
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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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Town Scraps Plan to Extend University Avenue-July 11, 1979
University Avenue Extension Plan Scrapped ⠀ On July 11, 1979, Norwood selectmen officially abandoned the long-debated plan to extend University Avenue through the Ellis Well Field area to Route 1. This reversal marks a major shift in town development, following persistent environmental concerns raised by residents regarding the potential threat to the town’s water supply.…
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Norwood Park Place Industrial Park Advances-September 12, 1978
Norwood Planning Board releases $50,000 in performance bonding for the Park Place industrial park on Route 1 as roadway and building construction progresses.
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Sewer Infiltration Fixed, Opening Doors for Park Place Industrial Development-August 29, 1978
Municipal and state officials have confirmed that long-standing sewer capacity hurdles facing the Park Place Industrial Park are finally easing. According to the state Division of Water Pollution Control, the town successfully eliminated 14,000 gallons per day of extraneous groundwater infiltration leaking into the town-MDC sewer system. The breakthrough follows an enforcement action last May…
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John Shalbey Jr. Proposes Office Building Behind Ro-Jo Car Wash-August 9, 1978
Local businessman John Shalbey Jr. faced mixed reactions from David Terrace residents while seeking a zoning variance for an office building behind his Route 1 car wash.
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Simoni Denied Permission to Build Motel Near Norwood Airport-August 3, 1978
Citing airport safety concerns and protected runway approach zones, the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission unanimously denied developer Frank R. Simoni’s request to build a 63-foot-tall motel near Norwood Airport.
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