3.5 Rear Buffum Street Holly Brauner Public CommentCaution: This email originated from outside our system. Please do not click links or open
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Outlook
3 1/2 Buffum St. in Salem
From Holly Brauner <hsbrauner@gmail.com>
Date Tue 5/20/2025 10:06 PM
To Zoning Board Comments <zoningboardcomments@salem.com>
Greetings, I am writing to you concerning the proposed redevelopment of the
property at 3 1/2 Buffum St. I am not able to attend this meeting on May 21 so I am
sharing my concerns in writing.
As an abutter I'm concerned for the increased density that these proposed changes
make to the folks in our neighborhood. While this is only adding one new unit of
housing to this property, the changes that it makes to the immediate vicinity seem to
be beyond acceptable standards. My understanding is that the current dwelling at
this address is already built on what was the backyard of that property - or what was
3 Buffum St. Things were already crowded. And now the new owners want to add
two stories, which includes at least another unit and more parking.
I am not opposed to more housing in Salem, in fact, I'm 100 % in favor of creating
more affordable housing in this city to make it more accessible to so many who work
here and would like to call it home if only they could live here. So, it is with mixed
feeling that I raise concerns at this time. However, it is the particulars of this specific
project that concern me.
In preparation for increased parking they already removed all the trees from the
property without local considaration or consent. And yes, someone did come by
immediate abutters to ostensibly seek their approval, but more so to access their
driveways so that the tree removal company could remove the trees! While they did
not technically need consent from the neighbors for this, this hasty action of tree
removal speaks to their intention of plowing ahead with plans for
redevelopment with little consideration of how the neighbors might respond. I
remain hopeful that humanity can be better and more thoughtful than this.
And now, with trees removed, the retaining walls that were connected to the very
large trees that just came down will be unstable and possibly suffer further damage,
adversely affecting the property immediately adjacent to this project. As we consider
the planned reconstruction of 3 1/2 Buffum, we, as neighbors, anticipate further
damage and drainage issues for immediate abutters because of the uneven surface,
currently managed by the retaining walls. While my house does not immediately
connect to this property, my hope is to support my neighbors and their well being.
I'm sure many of you reading this are already aware of the traffic concerns of our
neighborhood. While the speed humps that were recently installed (in 2022?) are
very helpful in slowing traffic, they are not helpful in lessening the number of cars
attempting to avoid lights on North Street. Children walk to the bus stop down
the street, we all walk our dogs up and down these streets, avoiding speeding cars on
Mason St., navigating traffic that heads up Buffum hoping to avoid slowdowns on
North St. Adding more apartments on this already crowded and narrow street will
only make things worse.
I'll leave my comments here, and hope for your careful consideration and wisdom for
more thoughtful development of apartments in our community.
Respectfully,
Holly Brauner
5 1/2 Barr St.
--
~Holly
"Wash in wisdom-water, so you will have no regrets
about the time here."
- Rumi