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Please help the Middlesex Fells!!!
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Stanwood, Audrey
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Mar 29, 2005 13:21 PST
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This is from the Friends of Middlesex Fells website. This absolutely
relates to all of us as birders....thank you for taking the time to read
this, and I hope some of
you can attend the meeting. Sadly, I have a previous committment that I
cannot get out of, but I just mailed an opposition letter to the Stoneham
Zoning Board of Appeals.
Audrey
DON'T LET Development destroy our Middlesex Fells and the quality of life
in our neighborhoods!
Important Public Hearing
March 31 - 7:30 p.m.
Stoneham Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
Stoneham Town Hall
35 Central Street - Stoneham
(for directions, see link at bottom of this message*)
The Gutierrez Development Proposal is:
BAD FOR THE FELLS and SPOT POND
BAD for the ENVIRONMENT
BAD for our NEIGHBORHOODS
TOO BIG (550 housing units & 250,000 sq. ft of office space)
TOO MUCH TRAFFIC ( 8,660 cars every day - 7,000 more than now!)
General Info: The Gutierrez Company wants to build a nearly one million
square foot development on the site of the former BRMC (Hospital) on
Woodland Road, a site surrounded by Middlesex Fells conservation land and
served by historic parkways. The site is across from Spot Pond (which is
also a backup water supply for the area) and only a short way from local
neighborhoods. The developer claims he can do this project without any
impact on our Fells, but we know better!
By his own estimate, there will be 8700 vehicles per day on our parkways and
streets, a traffic increase of 400% (4 times!) or more over today's
traffic!!!
Why this meeting is important: The developer must get a variance from the
Stoneham Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) for the housing density under the
rules of "40B".
The rule: "40B" presumes that a project is valid unless we can show that the
project's impact will outweigh the benefits .
This development project is not acceptable :
-- 400% increase in traffic -- this outweighs the benefit
-- damage to the Middlesex Fells and its historic parkways -- this outweighs
the benefit
-- damage to the environment, habitat, natural beauty, etc. -- this
outweighs the benefit
-- damage to historic resources - the parkways and the Spot Pond area are on
the National Register of Historic Places - - this outweighs the benefit
-- potential damage to Spot Pond (with 6,500 more vehicles daily, there is
an increased chance of pollution from runoff or spills) -- this outweighs
the benefit
-- failure to meet the Commonwealth's goals for "smart growth" -- this
outweighs the benefit
- 10 area intersections are already "at failure" - this project would
increase gridlock -- this outweighs the benefit
-- increase in vehicle pollution and runoff -- this outweighs the benefit
-- increase in pedestrian risk -- this outweighs the benefit
-- increase in health risks (asthma, etc.) -- this outweighs the benefit
AND, LET'S REMEMBER- at least one other 40B proposal is being raised in
Stoneham , that would provide housing but without destroying the Fells and
our neighborhoods
The bottom line: The future of the Middlesex Fells and our neighborhoods:
A million square feet of additional development in the heart of our
communities and Fells lands presents valid traffic, environmental, safety,
health and open space risks and damages that far outweigh the regional
housing benefits
We must not let this development run over the Fells and our neighborhoods!
Your voice is critical: Please attend this meeting and speak your mind!
If we are silent, we will pay the consequences. . .
If you can't attend, please send your written comments by March 31 (USPS
only) to:
Town of Stoneham
Zoning Board of Appeals
Attn: Mr. Frank Vallarelli, Chair
Stoneham Town Hall
35 Central Street
Stoneham MA 02180
FOR MORE INFORMATION, or to help with the campaign (we need funds,
volunteers, etc.):
Please call 781-662-2340 or send an e-mail to frie-@fells.org
<mailto:frie-@fells.org>
*Directions to Stoneham Town Hall ( 35 Central Street , Stoneham )
- go up 28 North ( Main Street ) into Stoneham ; Central Street is off to
the right, just past Franklin street . Town Hall is large building on the
right.
OR: take Montvale Avenue exit off I-93 (East); right on 28/Main Street; look
for Franklin/Central Street on the left.
for a Map, click here
<http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=vQ4fJOp_0Trk6Nf.1KZTUStBjXn88g--&csz=S
TONEHAM+MA+02180&country=us&cat=&trf=0>
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