Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022 KOWLOON | FROM PAGE 1 concrete would be in the best interests of the town instead three shorter buildings made of wood and more susceptible to potential fi re and safety problems that could put residents at risk. “I don’t understand how we justify voting against the fi re chief,” Selectman Jeff rey Cicolini told colleagues at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Board of Selectmen during the latest continuation of the hearing on the Wong family’s request for a Special Permit (S-2). Cicolini and Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano, Sr. and Selectman Corinne Riley all support the Wong family’s request for a variance that would allow the proposed buildings to exceed four stories and 55 feet in height that town zoning currently allows within the Route 1 Business Highway Sustainable Zoning District (BHSD). But it requires ARTIST RENDERING OF KOWLOON PROJECT: This is part of a schematic plan provided by Dennis Mires, P.A., The Architects of Manchester, N.H. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler) a four-fi fths vote for the board to issue an S-2 permit. Selectman Michael Serino has vehemently opposed the project on grounds that allowing the building to surpass the allowable height would set a bad precedent for develop • • • ment on Route 1. He even opposes the shorter buildings because he believes the project is too dense for the location where it would be built. The board’s Vice Chair, Debra Panetta, could help or hinder the project, depending upon whether she casts the decisive fourth vote for the permit – or joins Serino as an opponent. Telling colleagues that she’s basically still on the fence about the Special Permit and doesn’t want to have the project postponed for two years by voting against the permit, Panetta requested her third continuance of the hearing in recent weeks. “My issue is that I would personally like to hear from the Planning Board and what they have to say,” Panetta said at Tuesday night’s meeting. “If they come back ‘yes,’ I’m a yes,” she said. At that point, Selectman Cicolini asked his colleagues to continue the hearing to the March 22 meeting as a professional courtesy to PanetUNHAPPY CHAIR: Board of Selectman Chair Anthony Cogliano, Sr. throws up his hand in frustration. ta. In the meantime, the Planning Board would off er their informal opinions at one of their meetings before March 22. “Voting ‘No’ to this tonight would be a disservice to the town,” Cicolini said. “I really think this project is going to be a homerun for the town,” he said. Selectmen voted 3-1 to meet informally with the Planning Board, town engineer and the developer, with selectmen being able to ask Planning Board members questions. Cicolini, Riley and Panetta voted for the motion. Serino abstained and Cogliano opposed the motion and said emphatically that there should be no more delays of the project even if it meant a negative vote for the variance. “I don’t understand how that works at all. The whole thing makes zero sense,” Cogliano said of the latest continuance. “We’ll be here six months from now,” he said. Serino didn’t like the idea of holding an informal informational session during a Planning Board meeting. “To put it on the Planning Board like that, I don’t think it’s fair,” Serino said. Cicolini didn’t understand Serino’s position on the Planning Board meeting. “No matter what, you’re not going to support this project,” Cicolini said. Riley called the choice between the two taller buildings and the three shorter ones “a no-brainer.” “I’d rather have Selectman Panetta get more information,” Riley said. KOWLOON | SEE PAGE 9
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