After nearly a decade of legal battles, the town’s long-standing opposition to the Norwood Gardens apartment complex at Hampden and Plymouth Drives is drawing to an unsuccessful close. The Norwood Appeal Board is scheduled to meet tonight to officially grant a building permit allowing New York developers Koehl, Harris and Greene to construct the final 224 units of the residential development.
The town’s legal defenses collapsed following a recent state appeals court ruling upholding a 1969 Superior Court decision against the appeal board. The controversy dates back to 1964 when the builders filed definitive subdivision plans, followed closely by a town meeting rezoning vote in 1965 that prohibited apartment construction in the district. Litigation intensified over whether the builders’ permit applications fell within statutory protection windows. While the state Supreme Judicial Court permitted the construction of the initial two buildings (44 and 54 units) in 1970 and 1971, the town subsequently denied a new permit for the larger 224-unit phase, arguing the application exceeded the five-year zoning protection limit.
However, Superior Court Justice Vincent R. Brogna ruled that the prolonged litigation initiated by the town effectively extended the protection period to cover the 1971 application-a decision now affirmed by the state appeals court after nearly two years of review. Appeal Board Chairman George M. Eysie conceded the outcome, commenting that the precedent-setting ruling would leave many municipalities vulnerable to apartment developments. Building Inspector John E. Grover noted that the board would comply with town counsel guidance following the ruling, emphasizing that previous denials stemmed from legal interpretations rather than intentional obstruction. Appeal board clerk Joan M. Geraghty confirmed that a formal written decision will be filed later in the week. (Reporting by Mrs. Kathy Salzberg, The Patriot Ledger).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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New Owners May Develop Westover As Separate Entity-This Day in Norwood History-June 22, 1954
June 22, 1954-New Owners May Develop Westover As Separate Entity
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Papers Passed On 650 Acres Of Westover-This Day in Norwood History-June 13, 1954
June 13, 1954-The title was passed on 650 acres of the Westover property this week.
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Westover Sold To Boston Group On $277,500 Bid-January 21, 1954
Local Group Topped After Tie Offer After weeks of negotiations by opposing factions, marked by repeated hearings, conferences, and delays, Westover has at last been sold. These choice real estate properties in Norwood and Westwood for which George F. Willett struggled a lifetime to turn into a model garden village, went Tuesday afternoon for $277,500.00,…
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Hillshire Community Lures Prospective Buyers to Norwood-This Day in Norwood History-January 19, 1951
During the past week hundreds of prospective home seekers visited the model homes at Hillshire “Homes of Charm,” Greater Boston’s newest home community, located on a large tract in the progressive, healthy town of Norwood. In this section, 47 new homes are erected or under construction. The location, just off Route 1A, is but five…
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Ellis Gardens-June 30, 1950
This ad for Ellis Gardens ran on June 30th, 1950. OWN YOUR OWN HOME THE MOST SENSATIONAL OFFER IN THE SMALL HOME-BUILDING FIELD IN ELLIS GARDENS, NORWOOD 4 and 5 ROOM RANCH TYPE HOMES $10,500 to $10,900 ALL GENERAL ELECTRIC KITCHEN COMPRISING G.E. 8 ft. Refrigerator • G.E. Dishwasher• G.E. Electric Range • G.E. Disposal•…
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Ellis “Dust Bowl” Termed Menace to Health-This Day in Norwood History-June 13, 1950
Homeowners near Ellis Gardens pressed town officials for action as dust storms worsened, prompting a Board of Health review.
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Norwood Veteran’s Housing Project Progressing-This Day in Norwood History-January 31, 1950
ON SCHEDULE—Work is progressing according to schedule on the Norwood Veterans Housing Project off Roosevelt avenue. Thirteen cellars have already been poured and excavations have been made for a score more. Photo shows two-story structure going up with construction shacks to left. (McLean Photo) Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest…
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Pilgrim Heights Ad-This Day in Norwood History-April 25, 1942
(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted) / Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe
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To Build 500 Medium Priced Homes-This Day In Norwood History-March 22, 1940
As a result of the interest that been been shown by the public in medium priced homes, the Model T Homes, Inc., are sponsoring a unique and attractive home community at Cleveland Park, located on the Boston to Providence super highway, in Norwood. Model T Homes, Inc., developers of the successful Ponkapoag Way, Canton, have…
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Careful Planning Responsible For Cleveland Park-This Day in Norwood History-February 2, 1940
Twenty-five four, five and six-room houses have been planned for construction in Cleveland Park in the coming year. Four houses are now under construction and one is completed. Mr. and Mrs. Albert P. Nelson, formerly of Wakefield, are occupying this house, Mr. Nelson is in charge of sales. With his playroom transformed into an office,…
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