Home Depot talk set for Sept. 6
Published on August 16th, 2006
Stoneham, MA - The Planning Board continued its scheduled hearing on Fallon Road's proposed 133,000 square foot Home Depot last week until Sept. 6 at the request of the applicants.
According to Riemer and Braunstein attorney Mark Vaughan, who's representing Peabody-based The Richmond Company during the special permit process on the proposed A.W. Chesterton Company redevelopment, his clients were hoping to reconvene on the matter this Wednesday night.
However, the Planning Board, which briefly toyed with that suggestion, ultimately rejected that possibility, arguing that doing so would jeopardize the credibility of the special permit authority by potentially leaving scores of concerned Park and Marble Street area residents out of the public process.
"My concern is that it's relatively short notice, and in all fairness, if we're going to continue it [people have a right to know]. I also don't want to start discussing an important manner at 9 o'clock at night," responded Planning Board Chairman Gus Niewenhous.
Niewenhous' reference to the 9 p.m. start revolved around the fact that the hearing would have to begin after 8:30 p.m., as the petitioners had a prior meeting commitment before the Conservation Commission this Wednesday evening.
Although Vaughan suggested that his clients could reach out to various neighborhood groups to ensure that area residents received notice of the new hearing, various Planning Board members continued to resist the idea - especially given promises at the last hearing that the town board would allow opportunities for public participation.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!