NORWOOD, MA – Norwood’s Annual Town Assembly concluded Thursday evening with the passage of Post 11 for a new combined use zoning overlay district to permit a proposed 150-device mixed-use housing enhancement at the Norwood Space Centre at 83 Morse St.
Posting 9, which proposed the generation of a blended-use transportation overlay district in close proximity to the Norwood Centre commuter rail station, was shot down earlier in the evening soon after a number of speakers debated the execs and negatives. See similar article right here.
Issues had been elevated on both of those proposals about alleged location zoning, the need for extra residences in Norwood, and the ramifications of a new condition coverage requiring communities to make a lot more housing units around transportation hubs or forego condition grant funding prospects.
Attorney and former Town Moderator David Hern represented David DePree, the proprietor of the Norwood House Centre. He pointed out that there had been numerous variations to the initial article. They integrated a reduction of units from 180 to 150 and the addition of agriculture to the zoning to allow for for hydroponics to be grown within a making. Harmful components had been prohibited, and all setbacks were being enhanced. Twenty-five percent of the models would be affordable if there ended up 150 units created, and 20% if the quantity of models is beneath 150.
What distinguished this proposal from the former one particular presented, according to Hern, is that his consumer had a demonstrated monitor file of revitalizing the assets and contributing to the group. It also would not be impacted by the MBTA Communities Act. There were being a number of informational meetings about the challenge as effectively as excursions of the Norwood House Middle.
“This is a team that does what it suggests it is likely to do, that entails the group and engages the local community,” he claimed of DePree’s workforce. He added that it is not considered spot zoning for the reason that “general public advantages are concerned.”
The present developing, which supports the riverbank, will be demolished. The new five-tale constructing would be set back from the river to generate a waterfront park. There was a suggestion that it could link to the new Bernie Cooper Memorial Park that is planned for the Saint Streets Large amount. This park, authorized May perhaps 9 at Town Assembly, could link to the residence to develop “an emerald bracelet” in South Norwood.
The web page is the former Hen and Son manufacturing facility, wherever linoleum, roofing paper and shingles experienced been established. As a outcome of this usage, the site would have to have environmental remediation. DePree obtained the building that had been closed for 4 a long time in 2016.
DePree claimed he by now has invested $12 million to renovate 18-acre Norwood Area Centre residence of mill structures, producing place for 50 community businesses. This job would complete his eyesight of revitalizing the site with the very last 150,000 sq. toes of properties that won’t be able to be rehabilitated.
The focus on tenants would be youthful specialists and mature singles, he additional. He also mentioned he would associate with the town to see if advancements could be produced to the nearby Morse Road Bridge to permit for much better obtain.
“This specific assets presents a distinctive prospect to give extra dense progress to assistance balance out the household models in town,” explained Rachel Churchill, “and deliver more citizens to South Norwood to revitalize corporations and foot visitors devoid of disrupting the reduced-density character of the community.”
Patrick Mulvehill reiterated the fears he lifted about the preceding proposal about there becoming ample obtainable apartments in Norwood. He added that there need to be a property possession element to this undertaking.
“I assume it is a fantastic, rational conclusion to the residence,” he claimed. “But flats – I just can’t say strongly sufficient – no additional.”
“This is an opportunity to open up a dilapidated professional web page, make it housing, and give men and women a choice of where by to stay,” Peter McFarland said in support of the job. He is a member of the town’s Sustainability Fee and Incapacity Commission.
“I have to explain to you it’s my honest belief that this job is a big support to South Norwood, ” Selectman Helen Abdallah Donohue mentioned, noting the creation of an obtainable waterfront park would enormously reward the area.
“I believe anyone who has frequented the House Centre has viewed a window to the long run,” additional Tom McQuaid. “I feel what we are seriously likely to see is a vision of the river.”
“It is really not a new shiny penny,” reported Setting up Board member Debbie Holmwood, speaking as herself and not on behalf of the Arranging Board. “It really is an outdated woman with some character, and she gets to be saved.”
The write-up was permitted by a greater part vote. Also accredited was Write-up 12, which codified the zoning map for this alter.
