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
More…
-
Hazardous Shooting Incident On Route 1-July 22, 1978
On July 22, 1978, Stephen Pacheco was sought after a van was struck by gunfire near the Norwood-Canton exit.
-
High-Stakes Overhaul for the Historical Village Inn-This Day in Norwood History-June 28, 1978
A 1978 town hall showdown unloads a $100,000 renovation plan for The Village Inn amidst a staggering $700,000 municipal energy deficit.
-
Former Norwood Athlete Ralph Haddad Reflects on New England Golf from Colorado PGA-June 17, 1978
A dominant mid-century schoolboy golfer balances high-level Rocky Mountain competitions with local roots.
-
Cadillac Dealer Carl Johnson Honored At Regional Testimonial-June 16, 1978
From founding the Norwood Airport to developing the Route 1 Automile, a local titan receives state and corporate honors.
-
Fire Chief’s Physical Fitness Program Sparks Union Friction-June 8, 1978
Labor tensions rise at the fire station as Union President Collins signals roll-call refusals against mandatory diagnostic health screenings.
-
New Regional Title Reflects Chamber’s Growth; Shane Updates Dynamic Industrial Park Progress-June 7, 1978
Officially, the Norwood Chamber of Commerce now will be known as the Norwood Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President William C. Phipps made reference to the new name in remarks during the meeting last night at Airport. The change in title attests to the chamber’s diverse growth in membership, chamber Executive Secretary Robert H. Cook told…
-
Talk of the Town-June 6, 1978
The Norwood Planning Board moves to claim an $18,000 construction loan from builder Richard Saccone for unfinished roads at Grandview Estates, while also endorsing a major zoning shift at the old Norwood Arena site on Route 1.
-
Charles Strumski Retains Norwood Conservation Seat-August 17, 1977
Despite being denied reappointment by the town manager, veteran official Charles Strumski continues to serve the Norwood Conservation Commission.
-
Norwood Conservation Commission Approves Park Place Industrial Site-August 17, 1977
Developer James H. Shane and the Norwood Conservation Commission have agreed on a 56,000 cubic yard flood mitigation plan for Park Place on Route 1.
-
Conservation Commission Reaches Flood Control Agreement with Park Place Developer-August 17, 1977
Reaching a compromise under the Wetlands Protection Act, Norwood’s conservation commission approved flood control plans for the Park Place industrial park on Route 1.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.