Montvale Plaza designs approved
Published on June 24th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - After much conjecture about what type of "entertainment" and or service would occupy Montvale Plaza when and if a new owner was found, it appears as though plans are progressing in a bid to open a fitness center at the site.
The designs for this plan were presented to and approved by the Planning Board last week and will be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen at an upcoming meeting for their review.
Wakefield resident Joseph Nigro obtained the rights to seek out a business proposition and is willing to spend $1.3 million for the building, which had served as a function/banquet hall in the past, after the previous owners, Marimart Realty Inc., declared bankruptcy.
Steven Cicatelli, representing Nigro, said his client must receive swift approvals for the project in order to appease Haymarket Bank which is waiting to foreclose on the property.
The Planning Board, after much debate, helped Nigro along by approving the plans despite the strong objections of Chairman Stephen Catalano.
Catalano and other board members were disturbed by a letter which they received from Town Engineer Robert Grover concerning parking issues on the site.
Presently, no parking scheme is evident at Montvale Plaza, and, in an attempt to reduce this problem, the plans include 75 parking spaces. According to Grover, however, the design of the parking area allows little room for maneuvering and could prove hazardous if completed.
Catalano and other board members questioned Cicatelli on the scheme and appeared pleased to hear that designs such as traffic flow patterns were added after Grover's review.
They were disturbed, however, by Cicatelli's saying, "I think (Grover) wants to eliminate many spaces which we really can't do. I don't know if we could ever agree on that."
He explained that the 75 spaces were necessary for the 20,000 square foot building and for the business, USA Health and Fitness, which is proposed to occupy it. A USA Health and Fitness spokesperson said that a Stoneham outlet could expect 1,500 to 2,000 memberships and a peak crowd of 100 to 150 people working out at one time.
"The problem is that we have a very odd (shaped) building on a very odd lot," Cicatelli said. "We feel that we have adequate parking, but we'd hate to lose spaces.
"We're trying to balance coming up with a good plan and trying to maximize parking."
In addition to the problem of having too few parking spaces, if the number were reduced, he said, Nigro would likely have to appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a second approval. The ZBA had already granted variances to the site for the project prior to its appearance at the Planning Board.
A vote of 3-0-1 was taken with Catalano abstaining from the vote. However, due to a Stoneham bylaw which requires a 4-1 or a 4-0 vote in favor of a plan and due to the absence of Frank Federico, the project was not approved.
Catalano maintained that he wanted the vote contingent upon parking approval by Grover.
"I don't think that is a good way to proceed, myself," he said. "Our obligation is to see that parking lots are good and safe. I don't want to stop the project because of a few spaces.
"I also don't want to see anyone backing up (out of a space) and hitting a taillight."
The maker of the motion, board member Kevin Dolan, refused to change his motion and explained that it was the board's right and duty to review and accept such configurations.
"We do have heads on our shoulders and we do have the authority to approve the parking," board member Frank Vallarelli told Catalano.
After several minutes of silence, Catalano called for a recount and cast a favorable vote for the plan, making it unanimous.
The next step for Nigro and Cicatelli is to appear before the Board of Selectmen in order to obtain site plan approval.
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