Gates condos want a change in the zoning bylaws
Published on February 17th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Trustees of the Gates Condo-miniums approached the Planning Board earlier this month to get the board's input regarding possible inclusion of the Marble Street complex into the town's wireless communications district.
Gates' trustees Chairman James Pearson explained to board members that the complex has been approached recently by several communications companies which have expressed interest in installing cellular antennas on the property's rooftop.
Last year, when representatives of the Gates first pursued the complex's inclusion in the wireless zone, the Planning Board advised that the district had already been determined. Since that district did not include the area of the Gates Condominiums, the board suggested that the Gates apply for a zoning change.
At the preliminary hearing on February 3, Pearson presented Gates' request for such a change, asking that the town consider extending the wireless communications district to include parcels of land abutting Route 93, measuring at least three acres.
"This would benefit the town," said Pearson, asserting that all residents would receive better communications service with extension of the cellular network.
Board member Kevin Dolan stated, "I don't have any real objections...I don't see any type of detriment."
Other board members, however, advised that a great deal of debate was held last year regarding establishment of the wireless district and that the Gates trustees should have come forward with the request at that time.
According to board member Frank Vallarelli, last year's hearings were well advertised, with and many hours of legal time spent in researching the issue prior to going to Town Meeting where the article to create the zone was approved.
"It's a tough one, it really is," he stated.
Chairman Stephen Catalano agreed with Vallarelli, saying that to now accommodate such a request was not necessarily good planning.
"My only concern is that it's not spot zoning per se, but it's kind of spot zoning."
He described the approach taken previously to review the issue as "holistic", in that the board obtained a great deal of input from many sources in order to present a complete picture to Town Meeting.
Celia Schulhoff, another Gates trustee, explained to the Independent that when such installation might bring.
While they were pursuing these issues, the town was way ahead of them and eventually determined the zoning district.
"We've had a couple of different companies approach us," Schulhoff told the board. "The main point is that these companies now have places set (and) we want to be in the loop if something comes up in the future."
Catalano explained to the residents that, in order to proceed with their request, they must submit a warrant article to the Board of Selectmen for inclusion on the Town Meeting warrant. Since the matter concerns zoning, the Planning Board will then hold a public hearing.
He also suggested that the trustees present a sample of the antenna from the company whose proposal is being considered, reminding them that such a structure would have to stay within the parameters of the bylaw.
Catalano suggested that showing Town Meeting what the proposed antenna would actually look like, might help their case.
"Help us understand and visualize what you're looking for," he said.
"If this does move forward, the more information you have...the better it is for you."
"People at the condos certainly don't want an unsightly thing. That's part of our bylaws," said Schulhoff.
"All we're asking...is that we be included in the zone. What we do once will be in accordance with the (town) bylaw.
In other Planning Board news, approval was signed for changing the status of Irving Street from a private road to a public way.
On the recommendation of the Department of Public Works, board members made the status change official for the roadway off of Summer Street.
Access to and from the South School site via Irving Street has been incorporated into the rebuilding plan for the new school which is currently under construction.
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