Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 21, 2023 Town Meeting 2023 Vecchione briefs Town Meeting members on modifications to his proposed Cliftondale Square Zoning Overlay District By Mark E. Vogler P recinct 2 Town Meeting Member Joe Vecchione said he will stick with language that provides for a maximum building height of 50 feet in his Town Meeting warrant article for a proposed Cliftondale Square Zoning Overlay District. “While some called for the process to be removed and include 4 stories with a maximum 45ft height by right, I felt it was important to not implement a one-size-fits all zoning as lots vary vastly in size and configuration,” Vecchione wrote in a recent email to Town Meeting members explaining modifications he’s made in his proposal. “This was recognized in each of our other zoning overlays and the 50ft max height is still within scale of the neighborhood as floor to floor height was greater than it is now,” Vecchione wrote. “It also allows a taller 1st story commercial level to increase the potential clientele (i.e. restaurants that need more height for exhaust systems and general spatial comfort. Structures range from 38-55ft in height in Cliftondale (not including steeples). I think several lots can easily be built to 3 stories 40ft so I think that’s appropriate by right with a special permit to be awarded when true hardship is present when considering other dimensional criteria as it relates to particular lots,” he said. Article 22 – to create a Cliftondale Square Zoning Overlay District – takes up 17 pages of the Town Meeting warrant and is considered the most controversial of the warrant articles that will be considered when Town Meeting members convene on Monday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the second floor auditorium of Saugus Town Hall. Vecchione said he considers the article “a critical com® March 11, 2023 Cliftondale Square Overlay District (CSOD) Saugus, MA 0 175 1 inch = 175 Feet 350 www.cai-tech.com 525 8. Added language for Data shown on this map is provided for planning and informational purposes only. The municipality and CAI Technologies are not responsible for any use for other purposes or misuse or misrepresentation of this map. Cliftondale Square Overlay District Zoning Map ponent in the realistic pursuit of long-term revitalization of Cliftondale Square.” “I do understand there is a fair amount of misinformation that is out there that I hope the text of the article helps clarify but I will certainly be proactive in making sure that Town Meeting members are informed prior to the vote,” Vecchione wrote in his email. “I’ll also have a visual presentation the night of the Annual Meeting when this article is on the floor that highlights key components of the article and provides some visuals that may be helpful to digest what this article is and what it isn’t. It will also clarify what is in and out of the scope of zoning,” he said. Vecchione noted the following modifications, based on feedback he received from members: 1. Per Selectmen Serino’s feedback in the initial Cliftondale Report dated March 2022, the residential density per acre was lowered to 20 units per acre to be uniform with the rest of the overlays in town. As no property is an acre (largest lot is 0.66 acres), the largest development would be a maximum of 13 units while needing to incorporate driveways, parking, setbacks, and other dimensional regulations. 2. Commercial use is required on the street level throughout the district. 3. Aligned much of the process and regulations to be uniform with the amendments passed by Town Meeting last May including stories, height, special permit process, and parking. 4. Increased minimum sidewalk width from 6ft to 8ft where feasible. 5. Provided option for 10ft front setback for pedestrian scaled activity (outdoor dining, seating, etc.) or increased sidewalk width. 6. Require one visitor parking space per 4 apartments with a minimum of 1 visitor’s space per project. 7. Added bike storage as a requirement per project. EARTH DAY | FROM PAGE 1 setti. Pizza will be served to volunteers at 1 p.m., according to Rossetti. Volunteers who want to participate should meet in the Breakheart Parking Lot at 177 Forest St. between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The activities, which include invasive species removal, are suitable for adults and children of ages 13 and over. Water is available at this site, but volunteers are encouraged to bring a water bottle to fill. DCR officials also request that volunteers bring their own gloves if they have them. A limited supply will be available to those who don’t. Those who want to participate should sign and bring a Volunteer Release form (for adults or for minors). There will parking to be reviewed on a case by case basis as to not discourage restaurant or retail use which may not be feasible to construct parking for all restaurant patrons, employees, and long term parkers, especially with a municipal lot in the works. While parking shall be provided for long term parking (residents and employees), the intent is to create flexibility for short term patrons. 9. Addition of a vision statement as was present in the Waterfront Overlay article. 10. Tweaks to the purpose and intent to remove duplicate language. 11. Additional language pertaining to the special permit process based on feedback regarding the 50ft, 4 story height (I call out specifically for irregular lots that otherwise would not be viable and to ensure that all criteria is met). While some called for the process to be removed and include 4 stories with a maximum 45ft height by right, I felt it was important to not implement a one-size-fits all zoning as lots vary vastly in size and configuration. This was recognized in each of our other zoning overlays and the 50ft max height is still within scale of the neighborhood as floor to floor height was greater than it is now. It also allows a taller 1st story commercial level to increase the potential clientele (i.e. restaurants that need more height for exhaust systems and general spatial comTOWN MEETING | SEE PAGE 8 be a limited supply of forms available at the event. In another local event planned for the Earth Day weekend, the Saugus River Watershed Council will conduct a cleanup at Marshview Park in Lynn on Sunday, April 23, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are welcome to celebrate Earth Day by joining the Saugus River Watershed Council and the DCR for a cleanup project at the park and the adjoining area along the Saugus River in Lynn near the Saugus town line. All are welcome – no RSVP is needed. Directions: Marshview Park is located adjacent to the Saugus River on Boston Street in Lynn, directly across the street from (formerly) O’Briens in Lynn and across the river from K Pub Restaurant on Lincoln Avenue in Saugus.
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