135 LAFAYETTE STREET - BUILDING INSPECTION 135 Lafayette St.
6
'1.
Certificate Number: B-15-732 Permit Number: B-15-732
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
City of Salem
This is to Certify that the Commercial Building located at
Building Type
135 LAFAYETTE STREET in the City of Salem
.......... ..
............... .. .. . _. .....-.... ..... .. .... ... __... , .. ..... .... ... _.._._......-......-y.. . .....
Address Town/City Name
IS HEREBY GRANTED A PERMANENT CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
135 LAFAYETTE STREET
JIMMYJOHNS
This Permit is granted in conformity with the Statutes and Ordinances relating thereto, and
expires ...............................Not Applicable unless sooner suspended or revoked.
Expiration Date
Issued On: Monday, September 28, 2015
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
{ City of Salem
a
r
�4!cr nr v��� 720 Washington St,3rd Floor Salem,MA e1970(978)745-9595 x5641
Return card to Building Division for certificate of Occupancy uV
Permit B-15-732 PERMIT TO BUIL D
FEE PAID:': $1$1,617.00
DATE ISSUED: 7/27/201
This certifies that PEABODY PROPERTIES ATTN : JUSTIN PAQUETTE
has permission to erect, alter, or demolish a buildin
' g 135 LAFAYETTE STREET Map/Lot 340307-801 '
as follows: Renovation TENANT FIT OUT FOR: JIMMY JOHNS
(SET OF PLANS SUBMITTED)
Contractor Name: ROBERT J. MECURIO `
DBA: FALCON CONSTRUCTION LLC
Contractor License No: CS-092125
7/27!2045
- Building Official Date
This permit shall be deemedabandonedand invalid unless the work authorized by this permit is-commencedwkhin six's months after issuance.The Building Official
may grant one or more extensions not to exceed six months each upon written raduest.
All work authorized by thispermitshall conform to the approved application and the approved construction documents for which this permit has been granted.
All construction,alterations and changes of use of any'building and structures shall be in compliance with the local zoning by-laws and codes. ' ��
u
This permit shall be displayed in a location clearly visible from access street or road and shall be maintained open for public inspection for the entire duration of the
work until the completion of the same.
The Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued until all applicable signatures by the Building.and Fire Ofricials,are provided on this Permit. .
HIC#: "Persons contracting with unregistered contractors do not have access to the guaranty fund'(as set forth in MGL c.142A).
Restrictions:
Building plans are to be available on site.
All Permit Cards are the property of the PROPERTY OWNER.
VA
s
41
ncy
Structure ALEM BUILDING PERMIT
Excavation
PERMIT TO BE POSTED IN THE WINDOW
( tl" �
"Footing INSPECTION RECORD
Foundation - -
i41
Framing D
Mechanical
Insulation - ( 0 INSPECTION: BY DATE -
[Chimney/Smoke Chamber t .
Final
Rough:Ptumbingai
Rough:'nAV
Final Ac
Ele Feral
,Service .y
r
Final
00 FireApartment
!Preliminary
F�Final
t"S"r HeaIt Department
_,
Prell Mary
IsF `I 2�1 'V
�r
Final Construction Control Document
To be submitted at completion of construction by a
R Registered Design Professional
,aJ for work per the 8th edition of the
Je
Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR, Section 107
Project Title: St.Joseph's Redevelopment Date: December 20,2013 Permit No. 780-12
Property Address: 135 Lafayette Street, Salem MA
Project: Check(x)one or both as applicable: X New construction Existing Construction
Project description: Four story mixed-use residential and retail building with 51 residential units.
I Frederick P. Goff MA Registration Number 33856 Expiration date: June 30,2014 , am a registered design
professional, and I have prepared or directly supervised the preparation of all design plans, computations and
specifications concerning:
Architectural Structural Mechanical
Fire Protection Electrical Other: Describe
for the above named project. 1, or my designee, have performed the necessary professional services and was present at the
construction site on a regular and periodic basis. To the best of my knowledge, information, and belief the work
proceeded in accordance with the requirements of 780 CMR and the design documents approved as part of the building
permit and that I or my designee:
1. Have reviewed, for conformance to this code and the design concept, shop drawings, samples and other submittals
by the contractor in accordance with the requirements of the construction documents.
2. Have performed the duties for registered design professionals in 780 CMR Chapter 17, as applicable.
3. Have been present at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with the
progress and quality of the work and to determine if the work was performed in a manner consistent with the
construction documents and this code.
Nothing in this document relieves the contractor of its responsibility reeMrd' Ike provisions of 780 CMR 107.
►
(0)FAs
Enter in the space to the right a"wet"or %FFGDEFI \\Nk to J. H[ T//�
electronic signature and seal: wbb
ri
' ���
Phone number: 781-335-4200 Email: vgna@vgna.com ► �k vvvh��� � ..0 a- Po@-d`y`\�
rrlt i 2 Nq SAw ASES;\\
Subscribed and sworn to before tpe,this'Z,day of ai cc. l 6 1 20
Notary Public !'I�LdL My Commission Expires Registration Stamp and Signature
Building Official Use Only
Building Official Name: Permit No.: Date:
Version 06 I l 2013
Final Construction Control Document
To be submitted at completion of construction by a
d Registered Design Professional
for work per the 8u' edition of the
Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR, Section 107
Project Title: St. Joseph's Redevelopment Date: 12/20/13 PermitNo.780-12
Property Address: 135 Lafayette Street, Salem MA
Project: Check(x)one or both as applicable: X New construction Existing Construction
Project description: Four story mixed-use residential and retail building with 51 residential units.
I Matthew A. Bean MA Registration Number: 45007 Expiration date:6/30/14 am a
registered design professional, and I have prepared or directly supervised the preparation of all design plans,
computations and specifications concerning:
Architectural Structural X Mechanical
XFire Protection Electrical X Other: Describe Plumbing
for the above named project. I, or my designee, have performed the necessary professional services and was present at the
construction site on a regular and periodic basis. To the best of my knowledge, information, and belief the work
proceeded in accordance with the requirements of 780 CMR and the design documents approved as part of the building
permit and that I or my designee:
1. Have reviewed, for conformance to this code and the design concept, shop drawings, samples and other submittals
by the contractor in accordance with the requirements of the construction documents.
2. Have performed the duties for registered design professionals in 780 CMR Chapter 17, as applicable.
3. Have been present at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with the
progress and quality of the work and to determine if the work was performed in a manner consistent with the
construction documents and this code.
ex OF nes
Nothing in this document relieves the contractor of its responsibility regarding the provisions of 780 :0-
MATTHEW
s� -
MATTHEW A.
BEAN :+
Enter in the space to the right a"wet"or MECHANICAL
electronic signature and seal: NO.45007
4n 9r,� Hf
Phone number: 781-398-2250 Email: MattB =NyEngineering.com
Building Official Use Only
Building Official Name: Permit No.: Date:
Version 06 11 2013
Final Construction Control Document
To be submitted at completion of construction by a
t Registered Design Professional
for work per the 8u' edition of the
J '
Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR, Section 107
Project Title: St.Joseph's Redevelopment Date: December 20,2013 Permit No. 780-12
Property Address: 135 Lafayette Street,Salem MA
Project: Check(x)one or both as applicable: X New construction Existing Construction
Project description: Four story mixed-use residential and retail building with 51 residential units.
I David J. Odeh,MA Registration Number: 42755 Expiration date: 6/30/2014, am a registered professional engineer, and
I have prepared or directly supervised the preparation of all design plans, computations and specifications concerning:
Architectural X Structural Mechanical
Fire Protection Electrical Other: Describe
for the above named project. I, or my designee,have performed the necessary professional services and was present at the
construction site on a regular and periodic basis.To the best of my knowledge, information,and belief the work
proceeded in accordance with the requirements of 780 CMR and the design documents approved as part of the building
permit and that I or my designee:
1. Have reviewed, for conformance to this code and the design concept, shop drawings, samples and other submittals
by the contractor in accordance with the requirements of the construction documents.
2. Have performed the duties for registered design professionals in 780 CMR Chapter 17, as applicable.
3. Have been present at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with the
progress and quality of the work and to determine if the work was performed in a manner consistent with the
construction documents and this code.
Nothing in this document relieves the contractor of its responsibility regarding the provisions of 780 CMR 107.
s►�°A4®de
J EP�1H
Enter in the space to the right a"wet"or � DAVID d�
electronic signature and seal:
d STRUC H AL
27550
Phone number: 401-724-1771 Email: odehdj@odehengineers.com � FSS7/ST
,pp A
Subscribed at t to before me this la's' day of Decer nber 20 �3
Notary Pu ' My Commission Expires l211210 Registration Stamp and Signature
Building Official Use Only
Building Official Name: PermitNo.: Date:
Version 06 I1 2013
�r
Final Construction Control Document
To be submitted at completion of construction by a
Registered Design Professional
,y for work per the 8th edition of the
J
Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR, Section 107
Project Title: St.Joseph's Redevelopment Date: December 19,201 Permit No. 780-12
Property Address: 135 Lafayette Street,Salem MA
Project: Check(x)one or both as applicable: X New construction Existing Construction
Project description: Four story mixed-use residential and retail building with 51 residential units.
I Michael D.Binette MA Registration Number: 31191 Expiration date: ,am a registered design professional, and
I have prepared or directly supervised the preparation of all design plans,computations and specifications concerning:
X Architectural Structural Mechanical
Fire Protection Electrical Other: Describe
for the above named project. I,or my designee, have performed the necessary professional services and was present at the
construction site on a regular and periodic basis.To the best of my knowledge, information, and belief the work
proceeded in accordance with the requirements of 780 CMR and the design documents approved as part of the building
permit and that I or my designee:
1. Have reviewed, for conformance to this code and the design concept, shop drawings, samples and other submittals
by the contractor in accordance with the requirements of the construction documents.
2. Have performed the duties for registered design professionals in 780 CMR Chapter 17, as applicable.
3. Have been present at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with the
progress and quality of the work and to determine if the work was performed in a manner consistent with the
construction documents and this code.
Nothing in this document relieves the contractor of its responsibility regarding the provisions of 780 CMR 107.
_00 ARCII
Enter in the space to the right a"wet"or �INIb
i�D Bi y ¢f
electronic signature and seal: ��
No m
CHELSEA. �-
MASS. y
�J
Phone number: (617) 889-4402 Email: mbinette@architecturalteam.com o2�FgIt OFMPSSP
Subscribed and sworn to before me this J day of.I ,F c c or 20 _3
Notary Pub5c�A* My Commission Expires 11 c-)1_ Registration Stamp and Signature
Building Official Use Only
Building Official Name: Permit No.: Date:
Version 06 11 2013
Final Construction Control Document
To be submitted at completion of construction by a
Registered Design Professional
for work per the 8u' edition of the
Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR, Section 107
Project Title: St.Joseph's Redevelopment Date: December 20,2013 Permit No. 780-12
Property Address: 135 Lafayette Street,Salem MA
Project: Check(x) one or both as applicable: X New construction Existing Construction
Project description: Four story mixed-use residential and retail building with 51 residential units.
I, Charles G. Samiotes,PE—Civil,MA Registration Number: 31865 Expiration date: 6/30/2014, am a registered design
professional, and I have prepared or directly supervised the preparation of all design plans,computations and
specifications concerning:
Architectural Structural Mechanical
Fire Protection Electrical X Civil Engineering
for the above named project. I, or my designee, have performed the necessary professional services and was present at the
construction site on a regular and periodic basis. To the best of my knowledge, information, and belief the work
proceeded in accordance with the requirements of 780 CMR and the design documents approved as part of the building
permit and that I or my designee:
1. Have reviewed,for conformance to this code and the design concept, shop drawings, samples and other submittals
by the contractor in accordance with the requirements of the construction documents.
2. Have performed the duties for registered design professionals in 780 CMR Chapter 17, as applicable.
3. Have been present at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction to become generally familiar with the
progress and quality of the work and to determine if the work was performed in a manner consistent with the
construction documents and this code.
Nothing in this document relieves the contractor of its responsibility regarding the provisions of 780 CMR 107.
Enter in the space to the right a"wet"or u
electronic signature and seal:
1t,uE o'+
�y ,W
LTES ^,
Na.it855
Phone number: 508-877-6688 Email: csamiotes@samiotes.com �, CIVt
.�3
Subscribed and sworn to before me this3( ay of
�} � SUTHA KARIKAL �=' `'
Notary PublicL h c. ' L �y Commissi ;tamp and Signature
MY CammlaelGi F.�lree_MaY t&2018�;� .;.
Building Official Use Only ,
Building Official Name: Permit No.: Date:
Version 06 11 2013
! St. Joseph's School
20 Harbor Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970-5098
Tel: 978-744-4773 Fax: 978-744-7237
Put Faith in the Future
September 12, 2001
Dear Peter,
Enclosed you will find the plans for the convent
renovation by Dennis J. Gray Architects, Inc. Could you look at
it and give me some feedback. There is a school board
meeting scheduled for THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2001. Could
you come for 8:00 PM to share with us what you feel we should
do.
Thanks,
6�
Paul R. Plante, Ed.D.
Principal.
PRP:pdw
Enclosure
�( STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street
Salem,Massachusetts 01970
OWNER
Archdiocese of Boston
2121 Commonwealth Avenue
Brighton, Massachusetts 02135-4564
PASTOR
Revered Lawrence J. Rondeau, Pastor
ARCHITECT
Dennis J. Gray Architects,Inc.
20 Central Street,Suite 108
Salem,Massachusetts 01907
1b.:978 745 4404 FAX.978 745 6479
M
' Project No.98029
August 1998
�� 11101 1
Y
Dennis I Gray Architects,Inc.
Ar LiinOoe Undrape Ard e
June 4, 1998
AttevLt%ovt.: Peter
Revered Lawrence J.Rondeau,Pastor
Saint Joseph Forte
135 Lafayette Street
Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Reference: Saint Joseph Study of School Expansion into Convent
Dear Father Rondeau,
I write to make a proposal to prepare a feasibility study for the proposed expansion of the school into the convent.
This study will focus on the fallowing expansion needs:
A Providing three classrooms for,pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children in the existing convent spaces.
•B. Evaluation and recommendations for other renovations required to comply with the state access regulations
and building codes.
The study will consist of the following:
1. Existing conditions survey of the building and property. This will include a site visit to the school to
document existing conditions through photographs and inspections. We will review the local, and state codes
that effect the proposed new use of the property.
Proposed Fee: $600
\ 2. Alternative designs: We will prepare a concept design that will show how the proposed use will be
J accommodated within the existing building
Proposed Fee: $1,400
3. Project budget: We will prepare a project budget that will include all anticipated costs to implement the final
concept and renovations.
Proposed Fee: $500
Total Proposed Fee:$2,500
If you decide to implement the final concept and wish to retain my firm to prepare the working drawings$2,000 of
the above fee will be credited to the complete design fee. The above work will be compiled in booklet form
including three copies for your use.
We are prepared to commence this work immediately and will be completed within one month. Please contact me
if you have any question regarding this proposal.
With my best regards,I am
Sincerely, -
DemvasJ. c,rn�
Dennis J. Gray
Fc PF 617 783 6366 RR 978 744 3312 Tet.978 744 0095 p98039
.:: 20 Central Sued,Suite 108
Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Tel:(978)745-4404 Fax:(978)745-6479
F Mail:dard124d@rnah.com
Member ofThe Americm htshirde of Archdr
Member of The Aznmi m Socidy oflaodscapc Architeces
@I@CAlRiI
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135LafayetteSaeet,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
SUMMARY
This study is a survey of the existing conditions and a design recommendation for the expansion
into the Saint Joseph parish convent ofthe elementary education program.
The main areas addressed in this study are:
First,the documentation ofthe existing conditions of the building complex and site;
Second,the review of state codes and a presentation of a design for the adaptive use of the convent
for educational purposes;
Third,the presentation of budget cost estimate for the project.
Study Goals
• Provide site investigation to determine the condition of the building.
u Develop an alternative design that will accommodate a day care, kindergarten and fust
grade program in the building and establish the required building modifications to
1 accommodate this educational program.
A / S Establish a renovation budget.
Study Findings
The exterior of the building is in good condition.
I1 Some of the building systems are old and need refurbishing. The most important
renovations will include:
w - illuminating the means of egress exit signs with backup emergency power and
providing emergency 140"throughout with the use of low-vohage battery units;
I - - providing an upgraded manual and automatic fire alarm system throughout the
building;
- installing modem energy-efficient light fixtures;
Provision for ventilation to provide for the required air changes in the three
proposed classrooms and the meeting room on the first floor;
- fire rating of some existing steel columns;
1
_ e
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
i135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
® Handicapped parldng and an accessible entry to the building must be provided.
• Wheelchair access to the second floor must be provided.
• Additional and accessible bathrooms must be provided.
• The third floors can remain inaccessible if it is not open to public use.
• Provision of a new second emergency egress from the Educational Use area.
• Allocation of the space to provide for 35 SF of space for each child in the Day Care Pre-
school Program.
• Installation of additional hand rails in the existing stairway. Providing handrails of both
sides of the stair and a lower rail on both sides between 20 and 24 inches above the nosing.
• Changing existing hardware in accessible doors to meet 521CMR.
These renovations to the St. Joseph Convent will provide a building that can over time
accommodate the future space needs and required fimctions of the educational program.
�. Estimated Project Renovation Costs
Option A:Provide for the day care, kindergarten and first grade program on the second floor and
maintain a mixed-use building. Provide wheelchair access to the first and second floor only.
Budget: $296,000
Contingency: $30,000
Total: $325,000
Option B:Provide for the day care, kindergarten and first grade program on the second floor and
maintain a mixed-use building. Provide wheelchair access to all floors.
Budget: $292,000
Contingency: $30,000
Total: $322,000
Option C:Provide for the day care, kindergarten and first grade program on the second floor
t and maintain a mixed-use building. Provide wheelchair access to the second floor by connecting
to the existing school with an enclosed corridor. Provide access to lower level with exterior ramp.
Provide second exit from residential use with new exterior stairs.
Budget: $310,000
Contingency: $30,000
Total: $340,000
J
2
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
N
Methodology
• The building plans were reviewed.
• The building complex was surveyed.
s A list of building improvements were gathered and included in this study.
• Building optional designs and renovation were developed.
• Quantity and area calculations of all recommended renovation in 1998 unit costs were
compiled and used to develop the cost estimates.
The following reference materials were used:
• Means Building Construction Cost Data, 52nd Annual Edition, 1998.
• 780 CMR State Board of Building Regulations and Standards, Sixth Addition
• 521 CMR: Architectural Access Board
• 102 CMR: Office of Child Care Services
• 105 CMR, 410 (State Sanitary Code, Article 11, Minimum Standard of Fitness for Human
Habitation and shall conform with 248 CMR 2.01(7)
v Plans:
New convent for St. Joseph's Parish, Harbor Street, Salem, Massachusetts, Fontaine and
Del Sesto Architects, Providence, RI, March 1, 1962.
Consultant Team
Dennis J. Gray&Associates
Architects and Landscape Architects
20 Central Street, Suite 108
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
508-745-4404
Dennis J. Gray, AIA
3
Mme - -
t
DL—AIS J. GRAY ARCHITECTS, INC.
ArclutaMe end Landsdpe ArduteCmre • J
Elevator Location Option B EDUCATIONAL USE CROUP
r °rmn.xer su -
amn.r r--nn vwr w,m.mm
aTORA E 1
STAIR @ [ B
h NV ypn
DAY CAM CENTER PRE-SCHOOL
tea aOI
BI�0�1✓�I�1.1N �r�LJrU LJo
dY7CY(Y�" ®®g��
oaoo❑
oa000
aoaoa �
(❑�OpgTO��ORAOp� CHAPEL
- - lrmf'nArLex®F s 00
DQO D
yr rare' ar ur smvr
rvl nt Wi BA BR—IEO DR-121 BR-
22
°" '}--nn msmnn syr uNa' E--RESIDENTI USE CROU.
CORRIDOA
STAIRRALL
BR-110 BR-104 SUPERIOR *"ICE RECEPTION
BATH
F I R S T F L O G R P L A N
i , a
OPTION A & B
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
20 Central Street,Suite 108 l35Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Salert4 Massachusetts 01970
Tel:(978)745-4404 Fax.:(978)745-6479
E-Mail:dare h24d msn.com
Member of7Le Ameticea Institute ofArchiteats
Memba of The American Society RrWdsaape Archilcck
Db,AIS J. GRAY ARCHITECTS, INC.
AMasedure end La W oaDe Arcwtx . '
nvsn.n uvn ns, .01 vnvOr
Ramp Option A& B
amoa.nss suvAmn
STAIR
I
STORAGE i
FABISM STORAGE I
UUNN3 L_...._..
t
UNA9310NED
DRYING YARD
UNASSIGNED BOILER
ROOM
MEETING
ROOM
T.
LIBRARY LAUNDRY an vms
P O aaa xv
CORRIDOR
STAIR
8-11 B-10 B-D B-B B-Y B-a B-0 B-4
BA S E M E N T F L O O R P L A N
ecm ve -
OPTION A & B
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
20 CahVal Street,Suite 108 135 Lafayette Street,Salem,MassachusettT 0/970
Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Tel:(978)745-4404 Fax.:(978)745-6479
E-Mail:dard124d@;YvOi.com
Member of The America,IvsliNle ofArchitecla
Member of 73e Americea Socicry ofLaadsupe Archiae a,
DLA- ,qlS J. GRAY ARCHITECTS, INC.
mddtP.cture and LWW$MPe MCWIecDRe
V
M CHAIR Dr1
New Addition to Connect
Buildings EDUCATIONAL USE GROUP
r m weP mmexw
NEW COMM smRA
LFISTT,'Me MRACL STAIR
11,70
DAY CARE CEM01 PRL SCHOOL
r .RDEx �O p��
ooppa
aaao❑ -
opo
® CHAFf]
❑pope '
p p p o p BR-12a Rp-"' DA-IP!
Dpppp aATx
O Llxd
F—RESIDENTI USE CROUI
Q
•-v CORRIDOR STADRIAIL
aR-110 RM1IW 1VP[RIOR OMC[ RCCViMX
BATH
F,1 R S T F L O O R P L A N _._.._
OPTION C
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
195 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
20 Central Sired,Suite 108
SRIC,4 Massachusens 01970
Tel:(978)745.4404 Fax.:(978)745-6479 .
E-Mail:dard124d`nw com
I Member of The American Institute of Amhiteca
Member of The Americ=satiety of LAndscpe Architecle
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
° r Table of Contents
Page No.
1. Existing Conditions........................................................................... 3
2. Code Review................................................................................... 8
3. Renovation Budget Cost Estimate............................................................ 18
A
Y
t
1
4
x
l
a
e
�j.
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 LafayeueStrcei,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
a`
1. EXISTING CONDMONS
This survey investigates the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and life-safety systems
of Saint Joseph Convent 135 Lafayette Street Salem Massachusetts for the conversion of part of
' `•c"' the building into educational use.
Site
° The Saint Joseph Convent is located on the Saint Joseph parish property. The building fronts on
;A c Harbor Street on the north side of the property and is situated between the elementary school and
" the rectory. The parish church and parking area are located to the south behind the convent.
k ^ I
^' Access
The pedestrian access to the site and entry to the building is from the north off Harbor Street and on
f the south near the parking area. There is no wheelchair access to the building. The exterior of the
site is in good condition.
C , ARCHITECTURAL
nAreas and Existing Uses
di The existing building is designated Residential Use (R-2). The convent has 21,830 gross square
feet on three floors.
R . 1. First floor(8,000 GFS)
This level contains the boiler room, storage,offices and meeting areas. Access to this level is from
' '* c the rear down two steps and at the front through a stairway.
a
2. Second Floor(8,000 GSF)
Vis, t. This currently has an unused kitchen and common room, chapel, and residential rooms for four
"* occupants.
h*
3. Third Floor(5,830 GSF)
This level is unoccupied and contains the former sleeping rooms for the nuns.
• M
Area Arrangement
The St. Joseph Convent was constructed as a residential facility to house 30 nuns in 1962. As
characteristic of these convents, the floors are connected by two stairways, a main stair exiting to
the front of the convent and stair exiting to the back. There is no provision for wheelchair access
a between the floors. Each floor is divided by the central hall leading to the stairways on each end.
4
k
.a-
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Sired,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
. Exterior
Walls
The walls are ,constructed of solid masonry with exterior finish brick. The windowsills are
limestone and the heads are brick supported steel lintels.
f .
Windows
S The facade has double-hung aluminum sash and exterior applied combination storm and screen
windows.
T
y Doors
i� The main entry doors appears to be the original aluminum
'^ Interior
ra
� The main entry level and stairway, and most rooms, retain the original trim and finish. The original
plaster walls are all in good condition. There is a combination of ceiling and floor finishes that
includes acoustical tile, plaster and ceramic tile. The building has not been survey for materials
' containing asbestos.
' Access and Egress
Exterior Access and Parking
An area currently exists for visitor parking at the rear. The main entry is from Harbor Street and
the first floor level entry is from the parking area in the rear. Neither of these entries provides
wheelchair access.
STRUCTURAL
! The structural system is brick exterior bearing walls and steel frame. Although a complete
`t. investigation of this framing is not possible, all floors appeared to be level and in very sound
condition.
MECHANICAL,ELECTRICAI,PLUMBING
Plumbing Systems
}. #? Sanitary
The existing sanitary,waste and vent system is primarily of cast iron hub and spigot pipe that exits to
p
Harbor Street in a 5"line.
F
5 Y 1,
0i f
i � R
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Storm
The storm piping for the building discharges in a 3" line on the north side of the building into a
municipal line.A sacrarium dry well exists to the west near the chapel.
Water
The domestic water service comes off the municipal main in Harbor Street and enters the building on
the first floor into the unassigned space. This service appears to be 3" in size. From this location, cold
water is fed to the boiler room where one gas fired hot water heaters exist. In the boiler room,make-up
water is supplied to the boiler through a pressure-reducing valve.
Gas
v:
Natural gas enters the building in the unassigned space in a 3"pipe from the main in Harbor Street.
From the meter,gas piping extends out to three (3) locations;the range/oven units with a 1" line;the
gas-fired domestic hot water heater,and the boiler with a 3"line.
Fixtures
The water closets in the building are all flush tank-type design. All appear to be the elongated type.
All units intended for public use are required to be of the elongated style. The lavatories all have
compression-type faucets with individual hot and cold controls. None are of the metering type,which
are required by Code for public use.
HVAC Systems
4
Boiler
A single, gas-fired,hot water boiler heats the existing building. The boiler make and model number
was not obtained. It appears to be approximately 36 years old. The burner make and model number
was not obtained. The boiler has a metal flue, which runs from the boiler to a chimney on the north
side ofthe boiler room. The boiler is supplied gas from a 3"line.
Heating System
The heating system is divided into three (3) main piping zones; on for each floor. All zones have
water forced through them by common 1/2 HP circulator pumps. On all floors, there are gravity
convection type radiators with thermostatic controls. Six ceiling mounted cabinet unit heaters are
located in stairways and open areas to provide point of source heating in those areas.
There are thermostats mounted on the walls throughout the building. These thermostats control zone
valves and circulating pumps and the space temperature within these zoned areas can be maintained
accurately.
Exhaust
y
6
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
4'
1'
The toilet rooms on each floor have dulled exhausts. One fan exhaust is located on the roof, 'There
r does not exist and ventilation in the larger meeting rooms to provide code required air changes.
Electrical Systems
wPower
The building is provided with a 150 ampere, 120/240 volt, single-phase electrical service that
originates from Harbor Street the service inns underground and eaters the fust floor of the building,
rrms to a 150 ampere circuit breaker type panelboard located in the Unassigned Room on the first
y floor. .The panel-board is equipped with a main circuit breaker. There are seven (7) additional
panelboards in the building in varies location.
Lighting
Lighting is combination of incandescent and fluorescent. Some large rooms are provided with
incandescent ceiling fixtures. Lighting levels generally appear o in the budding Light es are of toggle
type.There are no illuminated exit signs or emergency lighting present
Fire Alarm
The building partially protected with a manual fire alarm system.
I't
7
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
i 2. CODEREVIEw
` 4 Through the analysis of the existing conditions and a review of the proposed space uses, the rotovation
requirements were developed. For a building of this age and use, the Code requirements greatly effect
'W how the building can be adaptively reused.The following are issues that will effect this building tease.
r , ,:•H.
,1 Massachusetts State Building Code
tt4 �t"
Adaptive reuse will require conformity with the Massachusetts State Building Code (MSBC), Sixth
Edition. Directly applicable Articles and Sections include:
�h r a. Article 34: Repair, Alteration, Addition, and Change of Use ofEristing Buildings, Section
t•;c 3405.0 Requirements for Change in Use Group to Two or More Hazard Index Greater.
` Ordinary repairs are defined in the MSBC as "any maintenance which does not affect structure,
egress,fire protection systems, fire ratings,energy, ss g conservation provisions,plumbing, sanitary,.gas,
electrical or other utilities".
Therefore, repairs to certain elements of the exterior, and interior decoration at the building could
occur without having to comply with MSBC standards.
b. Article 34: Repair,Alteration,Addition, and Change of Use of&dsting Buildings
I
s Article 34 offers building owners and local building officials a way to assess the safety of a building
that has been occupied for at least five years, and then to alter it in ways that permit a different use
or function without requiring full compliance with the code for new construction.
In brief, Article 34 classifies buildings according to the level of public safety hazard they present.
' If the new use of the building is at the same or a lower hazard level,the alterations must conform to
=:e section 3404.0,the least restrictive subsection of Article 34.
In the case of the St. Joseph Convent, the original use would have been classified as Residential.
The proposed use is classified as Educational, a 2 point higher hazard index. In this instance repair
and restoration of existing building must proceed with compliance to the MSBC requirements in
3405.0 Requirements for Change in Use Group to Two or More Hazard Index Greater. This
essentially says the building must conform to the requirements of the code for new construction.
The Americans With Disabilities Act and
Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Regulations
Changing the use of the Convent requires that those areas be brought up to current standards of
access for the disabled. Specifically,this involves compliance with the rules and regulations of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board
(MAAB). In the case of differences between the two codes,the more stringent standards will apply.
The Americans With Disabilities Act
ADA provides civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment,
public facilities, State and local government services, and telecommunications. The Department of
8
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
1 ) Summary of the Code Analysis Findings
' ry Codes and standards that have been adopted and made part of the Code of Massachusetts
Regulations (CMR) govern new building construction, alteration and the renovation projects in the
State of Massachusetts. The above references although not all of the CMR's do contain the most
applicable regulations that govern this proposed renovation project. A review of these codes and
xT, discussions with the City of Salem building department has resulted in the following renovations,
modification and additions being required to allow the existing building to be used as proposed.
a*? One of the more troublesome problems with this proposal is that to use the second floor as
educational use means a change of use for the building. The existing convent is residential use and
to use the second floor for education purposes means that part of this floor use will change. This
requires ander 521 CMR Architectural Access Board that the spaces use by the public be made
:C accessible to wheelchairs.
Another difficult requirement contained in 780 CMR is that the existing construction classification
will only allow two stories in height for the educational usegroup. The building is three stories
high. The compliant options are:
1. To fire rate the existing structural steel within the building on every floor to achieve a two hour
rating which will allow the building to be placed in a protected construction classification.
S. To provide an automatic sprinkler system though out the building, which if installed allows the
building height, is increased to three stories.
nw In addition combining uses on one requires the separation of these different uses and the provision
of an egress that does not pass through the other use area. Currently the building is designed with a
central double loaded corridor terminating into stairways.
The major renovations that are required to allow the use of the Convent as a mixed-use educational
4 and residential building are listed below.
1. Providing access to the public areas for wheelchairs.
2. Installation throughout the building of an automatic sprinkler system or fire rating existing
structural steel.
4?r
3. Installation of accessible toilets.
4. Provision of a new second emergency egress from the Educational Use area.
5. Provision for ventilation to provide for the required air changes in the three proposed
classrooms and the meeting room on the first floor.
6. Allocation of the space to provide for 35 SF of space for each child in the Day Care pre-school
y, program.
tis« 7. Installation of additional hand rails in the existing stairway. Providing handrails of both sides of
the stair and a lower rail on both sides between 20 and 24 inches above the nosing.
8. Upgrading of the fire alarm and detection system.
9. Changing existing hardware in accessible doors to meet 521CMR.
J
10
_a
: §fy„ STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
.j,•
Length of Exit Travel
(Table 1006: MOOr Maximum Existing Comment
t` S)(Table 1009.4
) With
Sprinkler
�
First Floor 250' 132'
e+:c
} } Second250' 132' 90' proposed with new
et , � Third corridor
250' 132'
rf
1 , Means of Egress(Table 1009.2) Required Existing Comment
Egress
Width
Stairwa s 42" 48„
X
art, s Doors 36 36»
Corridors
s• R-2 36" 36„
re 72f.re
" 60»Than 100 The existing corridor width
1011-3 will be allowed to
based on the installation of a
�u1
4yr new egress corridor. This
leaves only part of the egress
corridor in non:wrn fiance.
YReference Languaec
���, Exit Stairway 1007.2 Comment
:`�?i;� •' An exit stairway to be considered part of an The existing stairs have
: vh accessible means of egress shall have a clear one handrail: an additional
width of at least 48" between handrails and handrail is required on the
shall either incorporate an area of refuge within opposite side.
an enlarged story-level landing or shall be
yt r accessed from an area of refuge complying with '
780 CMR 1007.5 or a horizontal exit.
r'erence Lan e
t' a 1006.0 es E Comment
Types grecs from a room or space shall not open into The proposed use meets
eans of Egress an adjoining or intervenin room or area:rough adjoining L except where such adjoining room orarea [comply wtem 2 ith itBm onoe sThe is accessory to the.area served
2. is not high-hazard occu residential use is not
Pan�S- considered accessory to the
and provides a di
3. direct means of egress to an educational use. An
exit. alternative second means
F CMR 521 Architectural Access When the use of a building changes from a The proposed use r is e a
Board. private use to one that is open to and used
by change int use from
Jurisdiction:3.4 Change in Use the
Public, an accessible entrance must be Residential to Educational.
Provided,even if no work is being performed. Access for wheelchairs
must be rovided.
.t}r
i '
12
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street;Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Reference Language Comment
{ 1014.12 Exterior Stairways Exterior stairways shall have opening on at The exterior stairs will
least one side facing an outer court, yard or require a roof enclosure to
public way. The opening shall have an protect from the heather.
"'• aggregate width of not less than 20% of the
stairway perimeter and an aggregate area on
each level of not less than 12% of the total
e x, perimeter wall area of each level. In other than
r occupancies in Use Group R-3, treads, platform
and landings which are part of exterior
stairways in climates subject to snow or ice shall
be protected to prevent accumulation of same.
1014.12.1 Location Exterior exit stairways shall not project beyond Proposed stair will be S
the street lot line. Exterior exit stairways shall feet from the adjacent
be located at least ten feet from adjacent lot building.
lines and from other buildings on the same lot
unless opemng.m such buildings are protected
'--hour ing protective
Reference -Language Comment
1017.4 Door Hardware All doors shall swing in the direction of egress The existing doors can
where serving an occupant load of 50 or more remain swinging into the
persons or where serving a high hazard classrooms all occupancies
n will be under 50 persons.
Fire Protection System Device Existing Proposed
Cha ter 9
Alarms Old Per code
Detectors Old per Code
Fire Separation Between Fire Edugtion/Residential 2Hr.
Areas.(Table 313.1.2)
780 CMR 715.0 Fireresistance Location Structural Members Rating Comment
Rating of Structural Members Supporting Fire rated
Assemblies
Stairs and Shafts
Corridors 0 hr
4
780 CMR Day Care Centers Comments
424.4.1.4 Handrails Stair must have a lower bandrail
installed between 20" and 24"
above the nosing of the sitar
tread.
424.1.5 Guards Refer to CMR 1021.0.
J
13
k.
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
k
9s+ _
Reference
I.Exterior FilrRe .
Elements Resistance Ratings of structural I.EMetior Walls:
Elements Load Bearin
(Table 602) g' I Hr.
1L' 2.Fire Wall Non-Load Bearing:
ea ng 0 � (Table 705.2)
Party Wall: 2 Hr.
1''
f' 3.Fire Enclosure of Exits:• iHr.(1014.11,709)
less than four stories
3.Shaft Walls: (709,710)
3.Mixed Use and
'l. Fire Separation:(Table 313.1.2)
2 Hr.
•. 3.Other Separation assemblies 1 Hr.
' 4.Exist access corridors E, 1 Hr.(Table 1011.4)
;;�tqq R-2, IIIc
x4.Tenant spaces separations 1 Hr.(Table 1011.4)
5.Dwelling unit separations
iaP. 6. Smoke Barriers
1Hr.
krs 7.Other non-londbearmg Partitions O Hr.
'. 8.Boiler Room
I Hr.(Table 302.1.1)
9.Electric Room
0 Hr.
�.: . 10. Interior loa
dbeanng walls° loadbeanng SuPporting one floor onl or a roof
Partitions, columns, girders, trusses, (other IHr. y
than roof trusses)&Naming
10. Interior loadbeating walls, loadbearing Supporting more than one floor
Partitions, columns girders, trusses, (other 1 Hr.
than roof trusses)&Gaming
1 I.Structural members 1 hr Not less than wall supported.
supporting wall:
i
»; 12.Floor construction I ..
`R including beams:
A.:.r
11. Roof Construction, including beams, 15' or less in heights to lowest member
trusses and forming,arches&roof deck. 0 Hr.
.i,K
11. Roof Conslmction, including s and beams, More
th
an[nosethan 15' but less 20' in
framrrtg,arches&roof deck. heights to lowest member.
q� OHr.
1 I. Roof ConsWction, including beams, 20'or more in height to lowest member
[Hisses and framing,arches&roof deck. OHr.
14
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
102 CMR: Office of ChildCare Services
Reference La a Comment
102CMR 7.25: Physical Requirements
in Group Day Care Centers
(3)Lead Paint Requirement and Lead The Licensee shall ensure that paint used in the center is lead
i•:. Paint Inspection free.
a_. (a) The licensee shall provide evidence of a lead paint
inspecti'on from the local board of health.
(4) Outdoor space.The licensee shall maintain,or have access to,
an outdoor play area of at least 75 square feet per child using
it at any one time.
(5)Indoor space The licensee shall have a minimum of 35 square feet of
activity space per child,exclusive of hallways,lockers, wash
and toilet rooms, isolation rooms, kitchens, closets, office or
F' area regularly used for other purposes.
(8)Heating sources All steam and hot water pipes and radiators shall be protected
by permanent screens,guards,insulation or any other suitable
devise which prevents children from coming in contact with
than.
(9)Electrical Outlets All electrical outlets, within the reach of children, shall be
made inaccessible by use of a safety devise or covering that
%4, bars access to the receptacle
openings.
- (10)Room Temperature Room temperature in rooms occupied by children shall be
maintained at not less than 65 degrees F at 0 degrees F
outside, and at not more than the outside temperature when
the outside temperature is above 80 degrees F.
(11)Office Space There shall be designated space,separate from children's play
or rest areas, for administrative duties and staff or personnel
conferences.
(12)Personal space There shall be sufficient space, accessible to children, for
each child to store clothing and other personal items.
(14)Windows The licensee shall provide suitable guards across the inside of i
any windows that are accessible to children and present a
hazard.
(18)Toilets and Wash basins The licensee shall maintain one toilet and washbasin for t
every 20 children in one or more well ventilated bathrooms.
102CMR 7.26:Physical Access
Reference LIMP Uftffe Comment
` (9)Stairs All interior and exterior stairs shall comply with the following:
(a) No open risers.
(b) Nosings not projecting and not damaged.
(c) Double handrails on both sides of the stain: the upper mil set
between 30 inches and 33 inches measured vertically above the
nosing of the treads and the lower mil set at approximately 20
't
inches measures vertically at the face of the rise. The top handrail
y shall extend at least 12 inches beyond the top and bottom of the
stairs.
(d) A round or oval handgrip with a diameter between 11/4 inches and
two inches.
15
t STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
jF'Tt
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Plumbing Requirements
CMR 105, 410 (State Sanitary Code, Article II, Minimum Standard of Fitness for Human
y[,
Habitation and shall conform with 248 CMR 2.01(7)
Educational Use
Plumbing
Requirements
FixtureComa
7. (MA Plumbing
Code
s WC
Lay. Urinal Floor
MEN Proposed Requvad Proposed Required Proposed Requited
'Itix Pre-school 2
{ �:t Z
Kindergaden and z 2 1 - Seccnd Floor
First Gude
s W WOMEN
�..
E
ool ;gedm and 2 Z Z Second Floorrade
r 1 Eaistin 1 1 eaitin I iceduaures 6 S First Flour
S S 1
. -Proposed R ired Floor
DRRgKING 1 1 b=nd floor
FOUNTAINS
*a. JAN.SINKS erdAin 1 Firstfloor
J q4
i J H.C.Parking Required Proposed
Re lations 1 1
H.C.Access Wheelchair Access
(MAAB Regulations) First floor: ramp.
'' Second floor: either a rarrip or interior limited use elevator.
aa,tA'
Iia.. Building Systems Review
The items recommended herein are based on present Code requirements which would not be applicable
sk unless renovations or improvements are accomplished which effect an areaof the buil
system. ding or a certain
A.Plumbing Systems
J^1
The Plumbing Code requires that all water closets that may be used by the public, which apply to all in
this building must be of the elongated style. Whenever a water closet needs to be repaired or replaced, a
1.5 gallon per flush unit must be used to confomn to present Code requirements. If centaur floors are
made accessible to the handicapped,then the water closets should be of suitable design.
To comply with currant Codes,faucets should be ofthe metering type. The fixtures themselves should ber replaced with those of handicapped design when the toilet rooms are made accessible.
J
16
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
B.HVAC Systems
The classrooms and large meeting rooms do not have Code required mechanical ventilation. "ihrougb
wall units ventilators will be required in each ofthese rooms to comply with the Code.
J C.Fire Protection Systems
presently,there is no fire suppression system of any type in this building. Because of the change in useand the number of stories allowed by Code for this use group a sprinkler system will be required. In
addition,sprinklers are necessary in the boder room,kitchen and storage areas.
D.Electrical Systems
All means of egress should be provided with illuminated exit signs with backup emergency power.
Fe All means of egress should be provided with emergency lighting to illuminate the exit discharge-
Emergency lighting would be provided through the use of low voltage battery units and remhote lighting
heads.
A complete manual and automatic fire alarm system should be provided throughout the building.
Aa µ
' W
yIII} 1
l
f r.!
J
f
e
a
17
�i
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
3. RENOVATION BUDGET COST ESTIMATE
Estimated Project Renovation Costs
Option A:Provide for the day care, kindergarten and first grade program on the second floor and
maintain a mixed-use building. Provide wheelchair access to the first and second floor only.
Budget: $296,000
Contingency: $30,000
'+ Total: $325,000
,t Option B:Provide for the day care, kindergarten and first grade program on the second floor and
maintain a mixed-use building. Provide wheelchair access to all floors.
x, Budget: $292,000
Contingency: $30,000
Total: $322,000
Option C:Provide for the day care, kindergarten and first grade program on the second floor
and maintain a mixed-use building. Provide wheelchair access to the second floor by connecting
to the existing school with an enclosed corridor. Provide access to lower level with exterior ramp.
s, Provide second exit from residential use with new exterior stairs.
Budget: $310,000
3'
Contingency: $30,000
Total: $340,000
a;
18
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lajayeve Srr t,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
St. Joseph Salem Dennis J, Gray Architect, Inc.
6/3/98 jConcept A
a Preliminary Cost Estimate
'oi�•
Total SF 21800
Cost Unit Areas
Cost Units
General Requirements $26,502
O
'tj^ Division 1 Site Work
02100 Demolition $4,000 $0.50 8000 SF
*` 02110 Site Clearing $1,900 $3,800.00 0.5 ACRE
9.4 02150 Shoring and Bracing $1,300 $13.00 100 SF
X
02200 Earthwork $600 $12.00 50 CY
ta 02270 Storm Drainage
$800 $40.00 20 LF
02513 Asphalt Concrete Paving $2,850 $1.90 1500 SF
,
02514 Cement Concrete Paving $5,000 $5.00 1000 SY
02800 Site Improvements $400 $200A0 2'EA
,8 Subtotal $16,850
Division 3 Concrete
03310 Cast-In-Place Concrete $5,000 $250.00 20 CY
{ 'r 03320 Concrete Slab $12,000 $6.00 2000 SF
,." Subtotal $17,000
Division 4 Masonry
04200 Unit Masonry $1,200 $8.00 150 SF
Subtotal $1,200
Division 5 Metals
�.: 05120 Structural Steel $400 $40.00 10 Ton
05520 Handrails and Railings $15,000 $30.00 500 LF
Subtotal $15,400
Division 6 Wood and Plastics
' 06100 Rough Carpentry $18,000 $9.00 2000 SF
06400 Finish Carpentry $1,250 $25.00 50 LF
06400 Architectural Woodwork $450 $3.00 150 LF
Subtotal $19,700
Division 7 Thermal and Moisture Protection
E 07200 Insulation $210 $1.05 200 SF
*: 07270 Firestopping $150 $1.50 100 SF
07900 Joint Sealers $339 $2.26 150 LF
Subtotal $699
Division 8 Doors and Windows
` 08110 Steel Doors and Frames
$6,400 $800.00 8 EA
08610 Windows $1,500 $30.00 50 SF
08710 Builders Hardware $4,000 $500.00 8.SF
08800 Glass &Glazing $1,500 $30.00 50 SF
"' Subtotal $13,400
19
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Division 9 Finishes
09210 Veneer Plaster
New Walls $16,000 $8.00 2000 SF
' Existing Columns $12,000 $600.00 20 EA
09300 Tile Walls $2,880 $12.00 240 SF
09680 Resilient Flooring $691 $1.80 384 SF
P15 09900 Interior Painting $6,000 $1.50 4000•SF
Exterior Painting $4,000 $2.00 2000 SF
*a% 09950 Wall Coverings $0 $2.80 0 SF
Subtotal $41,571
Division 10 Specialties
10100 Chalkboards &Tackboards
$1,500 $500.00 3 EA
10160 Toilet Partitions $4,350 $870.00 S:EA
10200 Louvers &Vents
$200 $8.00 25 SF
10440 Specialty Signs $180 $45.00 4 SF
10522 Fire Extinguishers & Cab. $200 $200.00 1 EA
10800Toilet Accessories $1,600 $200.00 8'EA
Subtotal $8,030
Division 11 Equipment INot used
Division 12 Fumishings
-V 12500 Window Treatment $0 $7.20 0 SF
>.•
12690 Entrances Mats $0 $8.60 0 SF.
Subtotal ERR
k Division 15 Mechanical
15300 Fire Protection $0 $2.50 0 SF
;.
15400 Plumbs n9 $25,000 $2,500.00 10 EA
15000 HVAC $42,000 $6,000.00 7 EA
tom;, Subtotal $67,000
Division 16 Electrical
16100Fire Safety $0 $2.50 0 SF
1 16200 Lighting $24,000 $8.00 3000 SF
16300 Service $0 $15,000.00 0 EA
16400 Sound System $0 $15,000.00 0 EA
Subtotal $24,000
�y M1 Subtotal $220,850
•' '` ' General Contractors O&P $19,877
9%
' Subtotal $267,229
A&E Fees $26,723
Subtotal $293,952
x'
v: y
t'
l
20
a_¥2 SCHOOL EXPANSION INTomNVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
} mLafayefte_.Salm.Ma _mm
y< MERei m #e_m_es
Borings $0 moo■ o E
R■m «AS a■ 200 EA
Testing and Geotechnical K 150I2 0
§f ; Analysis
. « terSupplied Data
k2 a ,
`x
Site Survey $0 $5,000.00 0 E
Owner Purchased #m
( � ---
Furnishings
$902 a �
2 \ ,
Chairs &r k $0 $30.130 of
}
Owners P m RP. .
A« m
Subtotal $1,500
>ƒ «
\ ) \ m, $295,452
�\ §
�{ \ .
Al
�y <
£\ ?
ƒ2\
�z .
, 21
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
\\ 135 Lafayette Sheet,Salem,Massachusetts 0 19 70
11
St. Joseph Salem Dennis J, Gray Architect, Inc.
813/98 lConcept B
Preliminary Cost Estimate
v
Total SF 21800
Cost Unit Areas
Cost Units
General Requirements $26,239
Division 1 Site Work
02100 Demolition $8,000 $1.00 8000 SF
02110 Site Clearing $1,900 $3,800.00 0.5 ACRE
02150 Shoring and Bracing $1,300 $13.00 100 SF
02200 Earthwork $600 $12.00 50 CY
02270 Storm Drainage $800 $40.00 20 LF j
02513 Asphalt Concrete Paving $190 $1.90 100 SF
02514 Cement Concrete Paving $1,000 $5.00 200 SY
02800 Site Improvements $400 $200.00 2 EA
Subtotal $6,190
Division 3 Concrete
03310 Cast-In-Place Concrete $2,500 $250.00 10 CY
03320 Concrete Slab $3,000 $6.00 500 SF
Subtotal $5,500
J) Division 4 Masonry
04200 Unit Masonry $1,200 $8.00 150 SF
Subtotal $1,200
Division 5 Metals
05120 Structural Steel $1,600 $40.00 40 LF
05520 Handrails and Railings $3,000 $30.00 100 LF
Subtotal 1 $4,600
Division 6 Wood and Plastics
06100 Rough Carpentry $18,000 $9.00 2000 SF
06400 Finish Carpentry $1,250 $25.00 50 LF
06400 Architectural Woodwork $450 $3.00 150LF
Subtotal=j1w
Division 7 Thermal and Moisture Protection
07200 Insulation $105 $1.05 100 SF
w 07270 Firestopping $150 $1.50 100 SF
07900 Joint Sealers $339 $2.26 150 LF
Subtotal $594
22
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Division 8 Doors and Windows
'' 08110 Steel Doors and Frames $6,400 $800.00 8 JEA
08610 Windows $1,500 $30.00 50 SF
08710 Builders Hardware $4,000 $500.00 8 SF
08800 Glass & Glazing $1,500 $30.00 50 'SF
Subtotal $13,400
Division 9 Finishes
T 09210 Veneer Plaster $16,000 $8.00 2000 SF
09300 Tile F Walls $2,880 $12.00 240.SF
09680 Resilient Flooring $691 $1.80 384 SF
09900 Interior Painting $6,000 $1.50 4000 SF
Exterior Painting $4,000 $2.00 2000 SF
09950 Wall Coverings $2,800 $2.80 1000 SF
Subtotal $32,371
i
Division 10 Specialties
10100 Chalkboards &Tackboards $1,500 $500.00 3 EA
10160 Toilet Partitions $4,350 $870.00 5 EA
10200 Louvers &Vents $200 $8.00 25 SF
10200 Wall and Comer Guards $75 $15.00 5 LF
10440 Specialty Signs $180 $45.00 4 SF
10522 Fire Extinguishers & Cab. $200 $200.00 1 EA
10800 Toilet Accessories $1,600 $200.00 8 EA
Subtotal $8,105
u, Division 11 Equipment INotused
Division 12 Furnishings
12390 Kitchen Cabinets $0 $120.00 0 LF
.x 12500 Window Treatment $0 $7.20 0 SF
4 12690 Entrances Mats $0 $8.60 0 SF
Subtotal $0
Division 14 Elevator $36,000 $36,000.00 1 EA
Division 15 Mechanical
15300 Fire Protection $0 $2.50 0 SF
15400 Plumbing $25,000 $2,500.00 10 EA
15000 HVAC $42,000 $6,000.00 7 EA
Subtotal $67,000
Division 16 Electrical
16100 Fire Safety $0 $2.50 0 SF
16200 Lighting $24,000 $8.00 3000 SF
16300 Service $0 $15,000.00 0 EA
16400 Sound System $0 $15,000.00 0 EA
Subtotal $24,000
23
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Subtotal $218,660
General Contractors O&P $19,679
9%
Subtotal $264,579
A&E Fees $26,458
Subtotal $291,037
'i
A&E Reimbursable expenses
Borings $0 $400.00 0 EA
Printing $500 $5.00 100 EA
Testing and Geotechnical $0 $300.00 0
Analysis
{ Owner Supplied Data
? Fees $500 $500.00 1
_ Site Survey $0 $5,000.00 0 EA j
Owner Purchased Items
Furnishings
Pews $0 $90.00 0 EA
Chairs &Tables $0 $30.00 0 EA I
Owners Project Rep.
Clerk $0
Subtotal $1,000
Total $292,037
J
24
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Str t,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
St. Joseph Salem Dennis J, Gray Architect, Inc.
8/3/98 Concept C
Preliminary Cost Estimate
Total SF 21800
Cost Unit Areas
Cost Units
General Requirements $27,854
Division 1 Site Work
02100 Demolition $10,000 $1.00 10000'SF
02110 Site Clearing $3,040 $3,800.00 0.8 ACRE
02150 Shoring and Bracing $1,300 $13.00 100 SF
02200Earthwork $4,800 $12.00 400 CY
02270 Storm Drainage $800 $40.00 20 LF
02513 Asphalt Concrete Paving $190 $1.90 100 SF
02514 Cement Concrete Paving $1,000 $5.00 200 SY
02800 Site Improvements $400 $200.00 2 EA
Subtotal $11,530
54sion 3 Concrete
03310 Cast-In-Place Concrete $7,500 $250.00 30 CY
03320 Concrete Slab $3,600 $6.00 600 SF
Subtotal $11,100
Division 4 Masonry
04200 Unit Masonry $13,500 $25.00 540 SF
Subtotal $13,500
Division 5 Metals
05120 Structural Steel $1,600 $40.00 40 LF
05520 Handrails and Railings $3,000 $30.00 100 LF
Subtotal I $4,600
Division 6 Wood and Plastics
06100 Rough Carpentry $18,000 $9.00 2000 SF
06400 Finish Carpentry $1,250 $25.00 50 LF
06400 Architectural Woodwork $450 $3.00 150 LF
Subtotal $19,700
Division 7 Thermal and Moisture Protection
07200 insulation $525 $1.05 500 SF
07270 Firestopping $150 $1.50 100 SF
07900 Joint Sealers $339 $2.26 150 LF
Subtotal $1,014
J
25
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Stree{Salem,Massachusetts 01990
Division 8 Doors and Windows
08110 Steel Doors and Frames
08610 Windows $9,600 $800.00 12 EA
08710 Builders Hardware $1.500 $30.00 50 SF
$1,� $$30.00 12 SF
08800 Glass & Glazing
l $1 5� $30.00 50 SF
Subtotal
$18,600
DiHsion 9 Finishes
09210 Veneer Plaster $20,000
09300 Tile Walls $8.002500 SF
09680 $2,880 $12.00 240.SF
Resilient Flooring 80
09900 Interior Painting $691 $1. 384 SF
$6,000 $1.50 4000 SF
Exterior Painting
09950 Wall Co%erings $4000 $Z 2000 SF.
Subtotal $2.800 $2.80 1000 SF
$36,371
Division 10 Specialties
f10100 Chalkboards &Tackboards $1,500
10160 Toilet Partitions $500.00 3 to
10200 Lowers & Vents $4,350 $870.00 5 E4
10200 Wall and Comer Guards $200 $8.00 25 SF
10440 S $75 $15.00 5 LF
Specialty Signs $180 $45.00
10522 Fire Extinguishers &Cab. 4 SF
i ) 10800 Toilet Accessories �00 $200.00 1 Eq
Subtotal $8 $1,600 $200.00 g EA
,105
Division 11 Equipment Not used
DiHsion 12 Furnishings
12390 Kitchen Cabinets $0 $120.00
12500 Window Treatment 0 LF
12690 Entrances Mats $0 $7.20 0 SF
Subtotal -$0 $8.60 0 SF
Division 14 Lift $15,000 15,000.00
DiHsion 15 Mechanical 1 EA
15300 Fire Protection
15400 Plum tzng $0 $2.50 0 SF
15000 HVAC $25.000 $2,500.00 10.EA
Subtotal $67,000 $42,000 $6,000.00 7 EA
Division 16 Electrical
16100 Fire Safety $0 $2.50
16200 Lighting 0 SF
16300 Service $25,600 $8.00 3200 SF
16400 Sound System $0 15,000.00 0 EA
Subtotal $0 15,000.00 0 EA
$25,600
26
STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Subtotal $232,120
General Contractors O&P $20,891
9%
Subtotal $280,865
A&E Fees $28,087
Subtotal $308,952
A&E Reimbursable espenses
Borings $0 $400.00 0 EA
Printing $500 $5.00 100 EA
Testing and Geotechnical $0 $300.00 0
Analysis
Owner Supplied Data
Fees $500 $500.00 1
Site Survey $0 $5,000.00 0 EA
Owner Purchased Items
Furnishings
Pews $0 $90.00 0 EA
Chairs &Tables $0 $30.00 0 EA
Owners Project Rep.
Clerk $0
Subtotal $1,000
I
Total $309,952
I
J 4
27
�( STUDY OF SCHOOL EXPANSION INTO CONVENT
SAINT JOSEPH PARISH
135 Lafayette Street
Salem,Massachusetts 01970
OWNER
Archdiocese of Boston
2121 Commonwealth Avenue
Brighton, Massachusetts 021354564
PASTOR
Revered Lawrence J. Rondeau,Pastor
M -
ARCIITECT
Dennis J.Gray Architects,Inc.
20 Central Street,Suite 108
Salem,Massachusetts 01907
TEL:978 745 4404 FAX.978 745 6479
Projmt No.98029 _
August 1998
N
-- �� C
- � ,�
��•
- �� 7
, ,
02/12.2007 18:34 FAX 978 823 0088 JOHN H. CARR, JR., ESQ. 2009
CITY OF SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS
Kimbetky Driscoll
Mayor
January 17,2007
Honorable Salem City Council
93 Washington Skeet
Salem,Massaehusacts 01970
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council:
I am writing to update you with regard to correspondence recently received from the State
Division of Housing and Community Development,in connection with a potential
Comprehensive Permit Application at the forma St.Joseph's Church site.
As you know,last year the Planning Office of Urban Affairs(POUA)received local approval
from both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Beard for a six story,97 unit,mixed-
use development at the St.Joe's site. Unfor unincly,the permits were appealed and the litigation
has dragged on for a number of months,causing not only delays to construction,but increases in
costs related to legal fees and debt service for POUA, As a result,POUA is considering
alternative options to develop this site. One of these alternatives may consisr,of a
Comprehensive Permit Application to the ZBA,commonly referred to as a"40B approval".
Essentially,a Comprehenslve Permit allows a developer to obtain one permit from the ZBA for a
development project that includes a peroeataga of affordable housing. The criteria for review of
such projects is essentially the same as the site plan review process recently undertaken by our
local boards,however the appeal process for such projects is streamlined at the state level.
I have had some very preliminary discussions with POUA regarding this ptocess and the
proposed project I anticipate that further dialogue with representatives from POUR will take
place over the course of the next week,following which I would expect to submit formal
correspondence regarding the status of this project to the City Council prion-to your next
meeting. I am writing to you today bemuse members of the ZBA were informed of a potential
Comprehensive Permit Application and were briefed on the 40Bprocess by the Assistant City
Solicitor at tonight's ZBA meeting. I know that this project is of interest to it number of you and
wanted you to be aware of the most recent goings-on,as well as the fact that I expect to have
additional details to share with you shortly. I am scheduled for jury duty tomorrow,but Hope to
be in the office at some point during the day. Please feel free to contact me with any further
questions or concerns related to this topic. Thank you.
very truly yours,
Kimberley Driscoll
Mayor
02/12/2007 18:40 FAX 878 825 0068 JOHN H. CARR, JR. , ESO. -Z 004
John H. Carr,Jr.,Esq.
9 North Street
Salem,MA 01970
Phone: 978-825-0060
Fax: 978-825-0068
January 31,2007
By hand
George B.Newman,Esq.,Assistant District Attorney
Office of Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Bludgette
10 Federal Street
Salem,MA 01970
RE: Former St Joseph's church structure at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts
William Dzierzek, et al v, Salem Lafayette Development,LLC,et al,Docket No. 2006-
1820C
William Dzierzek, et al v. Salem Lafayette Development,LLC, et al, Docket No. 2006-
1881D
Dear Attorney Newman:
Confirming our telephone conversation yesterday afternoon,I am herewith formally requesting
that your office determine whether or not there has been a violation of the Massachusetts Open
Meeting Law based on the following set of fads. Because this may involve the active complicity
of a Massachusetts state agency,namely the State Division of Housing&Community
Development,I am also herewith sending a copy of this letter to Attorney General Martha
Coakley.
By way of background, I represent approximately 40 plaintiffs on a pro bono basis who have
appealed the August 24,2006 Decision of the Salem Board of Appeals evanti ag two variances to
the developer of the former St. Joseph's property at 135 Lafayette Street,Salem, Massachusetts,
namely Salem Lafayette Development,LLC(hereinafter"SLD"). They have also appealed a
related September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Derision of the Salem
Planning Board in favor of SLD. I am herewith enclosing copies of the detailed Complaints I
have timely tiled in the Essex Superior Court appealing both Decisions,the 7BA appeal being
Docket no.2006-I820C,and the Planning Board appeal being Docket no.2006-1981D.
Basically, with respect to the ZBA Decision,one of the two variances involves enlarging the 45-
foot maximum height restriction to 65 feet(i.e.relative to the proposed new 6-story structwe to
be built on the site of the present St Joseph's Church structure,which would be demolished)and
the other involves increasing the 3 '/1 maximum-number-of-stories-restriction.to 6 stories for the
02/12/2007 16:11 FAX 878 825 0068 JOHN H. CARR, JR. , ESQ. 005
proposed new structure. With respect to the September 14,2006 Planning Board Decision,that
basically involves granting SLD a Planned Unit Development(hereinafter I"UD")of 97
residential units plus an 18,000 square foot proposed Senior/Community Lifer Center,which is 64
units above the current legal density for the area. All of the foregoing maximums are pursuant to
the existing R-3 zoning for the district in which the fowler St.Joseph's property is located. By
way of further background,the relocation of the existing Senior Center on Broad Street to the
proposed new 6-story structure on Lafayette Street is vigorously opposed by the vast majority of
Salem's senior citizens who use the existing Broad Street facility, and there is a question as to
whether the Mayor intends to use$4.75 million of federal funds in order to purchase said facility,
in which event said funds could not be used to demolish the present St Joseph's Church
structure(which is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places)without
there fust being a so-called 106 Review administered by the Federal Advisory Council.
1 have just now become aware that SLD has filed a new application before the Salem ZBA for a
"Comprehensive Permit Application"pursuant to Chapter 408 of the Massachusetts General
Laws,which application seeks exactly the same relief as was granted in the foregoing ZBA
Decision of August 24,2006 and the Planning Board Decision of September 14, 2006. My
understanding is that SLD's new 40B application is to be heard by the Salem ZBA at a specially-
scheduled meeting on Monday evening,February 12,2007.
There is no question that Salem's new Mayor, Kimberly Driscoll,is aggressively pushing this
Project Jf this isn't clear from the extensive)oval press coverage over the I&,;t several months,
the following will remove any doubt.
I am herewith enclosing a copy of a letter Mayor Driscoll emailed to each member of the Salem
City Council,dated January 17,2007, wherein she states, in relevant part:
I am writing to you today because members of the
ZBA were informed of a potentia!Comprehensive
Permit Application and were briefed on the 408
process by the Assistant City Solicitor at
tonigbt's ZBA meeting. (Emphasis added).
in that letter the Mayor is quite"up front,"at least with respect to the Salem t,ity Council,that
this latest 40B application is directly motivated by my clients'appeals,and the delays and costs
to the St Joseph's project inherent in same. Note that the date of Mayor Driscoll's letter is
January 17, 2007,ie.the same day as the ZBA meeting, and the syntax of the above-quoted
language,namely"wane informed"and"were briefed" (Emphasis added). 'Thus,the letter
could only have been sent after the ZBA meeting, which(as hereinafter discussed) means that
there was absolutely no way any member of the public,including members ofthe Salem City
Council,could have related the first item on the January 17,2007 ZBA Agenda to the St.
Joseph's project prior to said ZBA meeting.
2
02!12!2007 18:42 FAX 875 825 0088 JOHN H. CARR, JR. , ESQ. 2008
Yesterday morning,in light of Mayor Driscoll's January 17,2007 letter,I requested copies of
both the ZBA Agenda for its January 17,2007 meeting,and the Minutes of s;dd meeting
yesterday morning.
I was subsequently told by a representative of the Salem.Building Department that said Minutes
have not yet been completed either in draft of finished form, even though today marks the second
full week since the January 17,2007 ZBA meeting. 1 was,however,faxed a copy of the Agenda
for said meeting,a copy of which I am herewith enclosing.
Please note that the first item on the Agenda recites the following:
1. Discussion of Chapter 40B(Comprebensive Permit Law)-Jerry Parisella"
Please also note that said Agenda item contains absolutely no reference to 13 5 Lafayette Street,
Salem,Massachusetts,whereas every 91ber item on the Age da(being Agenda items 2-9
inclusive)not only have addresses for each matter before the ZBA that evening,but also the
addresses for those Agenda items=printed in bold lettering.
As a consequence,based on said ZBA Agenda,as both posted in the Salem City Hall and
advertised in the Salem News,the public had absolutely no way of knowing in advance that
Agenda item no. I had anything to do with the St.Joseph's project,whereas the fact of the
matter is,as Mayor Driscoll's January 17,2007 letter to the Salem City Council makes explicitly
(and abundantly)clear,this was not a discussion of Chapter 40B in the abstroct,but with
particularreQardl to the St.Joseph's project,and(especially)how Chapter 40:6 could be used as
an"end run"around the present appeals. Indeed,it seems absolutely clear that the"Chapter 40B
Discussion"was absolutely driven by the St.Joseph's project.
I also direct your attention to Agenda item no. 8,namely"Old/New Business."
This could hardly be interpreted to cure the above-cited defects with respect ro the first Agenda
item,not only because the Chapter 40B Discussion was separately(albeit inadequately)listed as
Agenda item no. 1,but also because it doesn't apply to either"Old Business"or"New
Business." with respect to the former,any"Old Business"involving the St.Joseph's property
effectively ended with the ZBA's August 24,2006 Decision(now being appealed from),and
with respect to"New Business,"that could only apply to SLD's new 40B application,which
could not properly be before the ZBA until February 12,2007.
The bottom line is that by these machinations one side of a hotly-contested matter before the
ZBA was able to initially present a large portion of its case before the Board on January 17,2007
without the public at large,or the Plaintiffs/Appellants in particular,being given any reasonable
advance notice of what was occurring,or being given 1M opportunity to be beard,let alone a
reasonable opportunity to be heard. In light of same,and especially in view of the extraordinary
speed with which the ZBA granted the 2 variances in its August 24,2006 Decision,and(at least
in my opinion)its total lack of regard to Massachusetts Law in approving same,my clients have
every reason to believe that the ZBA hearing on Febntary 12,2007 is not only a foregone
conclusion,but a sham exercise-
3
02/12/201)7 18:42 FAX 078 825 0088 JOHN H. CARR, JR. , FSQ, 2 1)07
Indeed, especially in view of the detailed and copious materials that SLD filed last summer in
connection with both its ZBA and Planning Board applications;the 3 public hearings held by the
Planning Board;the single hearing conducted by the ZBA; the intense involv:.nient of the Mayor
(who spoke at length at the beginning of the first Planning Board hearing)and the City Planner,
Lynn Duncan(who appeared and spoke at length atag_ch of the three Planning Board hearings);
the close involvement of Ms. Duncan's Office of Planning&Community Development from the
inception of this project; and the fact that SLD has been represented by competent local Zoning
counsel,namely Joseph Correnti,throughout,one might reasonably question why it is that
Chapter 40B is the correct procedure now, instead of the approvals that were so painstakingly
sought last summer.
Also,on the issue of speed,I have received any number of unsolicited comments from members
of the public since I filed the two existing appeals in behalf of my clients. Many of these have
either been applicants before the Salem ZBA in recent years,or have attended ZBA bearings in
which others have applied for variances. Virtually all of these conmterds ha.a involved
astonishment over how little scrutiny the Board gave to SLD's application for the two variances,
or any apparent genuine regard for the very strict standards trader Massacb.usvtts Lave governing
the granting of variances. Indeed,many of these comments have expressed surprise and disgust
over the apparent preferential treatment the ZBA treated said application, both in terms of speed
and substance,compared to their own experience,which they found all the more remarkable
given the scope of the St.Joseph's project compared to the more modest scotie of their own.
With respect to the merits,I would also add that Chapter 40B is familiarly known as the"Anti
Snob Zoning Statute"and is generally used by developers in an attempt to circumvent local
zoning requirements,and local Zoning Board approval,for a particular project. Also,in order to
be eligible for said relief,an applicant must demonstrate that said community has less than 10%
of its total housing stock dedicated to low-income housing,housing for the elderly,handicapped
housing,affordable housing,and the like. Ironically,my understanding is that such housing
stock in Salem exceeds the 10%threshold in all respects. Thus,it would appear that Mayor
Driscoll is involving the ZBA in this instance on a collusive basis to avoid an adjudication of my
two existing appeals,which they apparently feel will kill the project. In such event,that would
really mean that the two approvals granted by the Salem ZBA and the Salem Planning Board via
the August 24,2006 and September 14,2006 Decisions were illegal to begin with.
While I do not pretend to be an expert on the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law,it seems to me
that the spirit(if not the letter)of that law should involve the following at a minimum:
I. That the public have a right to reasonable(and effective)notice ot'what is to transpire
before a municipal Board at a particular meeting in order to give members of the
public a reasonable opportunity to hear,or be heard,concermog same;
2. That both proponents and opponents on any matter before a municipal Board should
have equal standing,or put another way,neither side should have had a"head start"
or any other unfair advantage.
4
02/12/2007 18:33 FAX 978 823 0068 JOHN H. CARR, JR. , ESQ. Z008
At least in my humble opinion,the foregoing conduct of both the Mayor and the Salem ZBA
would seem to be a clear violation of both the letter and spirit of the Massachusetts Open
Meeting Law,and raises very serious issues with respect to fundamental notirxts of justice,due
process,and fair play.
I am herewith formally requesting in behalf of my clients that your office:
1. Investigate this situation;
2. Obtain copip of all present and prior drafts of the Minutes of the January 17,2007 ZBA
meeting;
3. Obtain a tape of the January 17,2007 ZBA hearing and transcribe same;
4. Make a determination as to whether a violation of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law
occurred as a result of the foregoing circumstances;and
5. If a violation is found to have occurred,that you bring immediate and effLctive enforcement
proceedings and assess the fall measure of sanctions available under the statute against all
those found to be responsible for same. I would specifically fiuther ask that you determine
whether or not the ZBA went into Executive Session regarding Agenda item no. I at its
January 17,2007 meeting,in which event I would think that that would amount to an even
mora egregious violation of the Open Meeting Law.
Would you or someone from your office kindly acknowledge receipt of this Inver and its
enclosure by signing and dating the enclosed copy hereof.
Thank you in advance for your attention to the foregoing.
Very truly yours,
John H. Can,Jr.
Enc
Cc Attorney General Martha Coakley—By Certified Mail&Facsimile
Tina Brooks,Director of Department of Housing&Community Development-Same
Elizabeth Renard, Salem City Solicitor—By Hand
Members, Salem City Council—By Hand
Massachusetts Historical Commission—By Certified Mail& Facsimile
Federal Advisory Council—By Certified Mail&Facsimile
Salem Historical Commission—By Hand
Historic Salem Inc.—By Hand
Plaintiffs—By Hand
5
02/12/2007 18:40 FA1 978 825 0068 .JOHN H. CARR. JR. , ESQ. Z003
I simply point out the foregoing for the record in view of the legal proceedings that are
undoubtedly going to follow.
In view of what transpired last summer in granting SLIT two variances,do you really
expect that my client's would have confidence in the integrity of the Boacd to make a
legal and not a political decision tonight, or put another way,if you were in their shoes,
don't you think that you would feel that what is about to transpire this evening is a
foregone conclusion,and a sham exercise?
Very truly yours,
John H. Carr, Jr.
Cc. Salem Building Department
Plaintiffs
Save Our Seniors
02/12/2007 1.8:59 FA1 878 825 0088 JOFN H. CARR. JR. , ESQ. Z001
JOIN H. CARR,JR.,ESQ.
9 North Street
Si4em,MA 01970
Phone: 978-825-0060
Fax: 978-825-0068
FACSIMILE COVER SHEET
FACSB4]LE NUMBER: 978-740-9846
I
T0: Building Department
City of Salem
120 Washington Street, 3"a Floor
Salem, MA 01970
RE: Tonight's ZBA Hearing on Chapter 40B Application of SLD,
St. Joseph's Property at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA
DATE: February 12,2007
Pages including this cover page: lid
Ihn tafom,aition contained in this fscsimile message is legally privileged and confidential infomatimt intended tmly for
the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the m:ipiest uamcd above,you a.e hereby notified that
any disscmioatiod,distribution moopy of this facsimile message is stric0y prohibited. If you heve received this
facsimile nwssW in error,please notify aa:immediately by telephone and mtum the otigtul mrssage to»k at the
above address via the United states Postal Setvim
Thank you.
02/12/2007 18:60 FAX 978 825 0068 JOHN H. CARR, JR. , ESQ. Z002
John H.Carr,Jr.,Esq.
9 North Street
Salem.MA 01970
Phone: 978-825-0060
Fac: 978-825-0068
February 12,2007
By Mail&By Facsimile:978-745-9157
Elizabeth Renard,Esq., City Solicitor
Kaufman&Frederick
265 Essex Street
Salem,MA 01970
Re: Tonight's ZBA Hearing on Chapter 40B Application of SLD,
St.Joseph's Property at 135 Lafayette Sheet,Salem,MA
Dear Attorney Renard:
On Wednesday afternoon,January 31,2007,1 hand-delivered to your office a copy of my
January 31,2007 letter to Assistant District Attorney George Newman,another copy of
which 1 am herewith enclosing.
In my letter to Mr.Newman I specifically requested,in relevant part,copies of all present
and prior dmfts of the Minutes of the January 17,2007 ZBA meeting, a tape of the
January 1.7,2007 ZBA hearing,and a transcription of said tape.
At 2:46 p.m.today,13 days after my request,and less than 4 bouts before tonight's
specially-scheduled ZBA hearing is to commence at 6:30 p.m.regarding the Chapter 40B
application of Salem Lafayette Development,LLC("SLD'I relative to the St. Joseph's
property,l finally received a copy of the Minutes of the January 17,2007 ZBA meeting,
at which the Board"was briefed"by Assistant City Solicitor Jery Parisella concerning
Chapter 40B.
Needless to say,that discussion did not exist in a vacuum,and was specifically driven by
the appeals my clients have filed in the Essex Superior Court,as is clearly indicated by
the Mayor's January 17,2007 email to each Salem City Councilor which she sent shortly
before midnight(and after the January 17,2007 ZBA meeting).
As Murphy's Law would have it,I was tied up in Gloucester at the time, and did not
receive the Minutes until a few minutes ago at 4:45 p.m.
ONDII CITY OF SALEM9 MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF APPEAL
n 120 WASHINGTON STREET. 3RD FLOOR
f SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970
'lv TELEPHONE: 978-745-9595
FAX: 978-740-9846 r%
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
MAYOR 0CD
Ngo Ncn
r
August 24, 2006 s 3
Decision v
Petition of Salem Lafayette Development, LLC requesting Variances,frov%
Height and Number of Stories for the property located at 135 Lafayette
Street, R-3 District City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A public hearing on the above petition was opened on August 23, 2006 pursuant to Mass
General Law Ch. 40A, Sec. 11, the following Zoning Board members present: Robin
Stein, Annie Hams, Beth Debski, Stephen Pinto, Bonnie Belair.
The petitioner Salem Lafayette Development, LLC is requesting variances pursuant to
section 9-5 to allow for construction of a six-story residential building as part of a
Planned Unit Development located at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem, in the Multi-Family
Residential (R-3) zoning district.
The petitioner is requesting variances from the forty-five (45) foot maximum height
requirement of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance (Sec 6-4, Table I) to approximately
sixty-five (65) feet, and from the three and one-half(31/2) stories maximum height
requirement to six (6) stories for the new construction of a multi-use building with
seventy-five (75) residential units and an approximately 18,000 sq.ft. Community Life
Center on the first floor.
The Board of Appeals, after careful consideration of the evidence presented at the public
hearing, and after thorough review of the Petition submitted, makes the following
findings of fact:
1. The property at 135 Lafayette Street is within the R-3 zoning district.
2. The Petitioner was represented by Attorney Joseph Correnti, 63 Federal
Street, Salem, MA.
3. A set of proposed plans were presented along with a rendering of the building.
The applicant stressed that the plans and rendering were preliminary and will
change. The site is the former home of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and
school, and includes a rectory and convent buildings.
4. Evidence was presented at the hearing that the Petitioner has met with the
abutting neighborhood associations, the Ward Councilors, City agencies, and
Historic Salem, Inc. on numerous occasions throughout the past year to
discuss the site and proposed plans. Meetings were also held over a period of
time with City officials, as well as the Planning Department.
5. Mayor Kimberly Driscoll addressed the Board and spoke in favor of the
project, citing the City's detailed involvement with the development due to the
proposed construction of a Community Life Center within the project and the
great need for mixed income housing and the community benefit, as well as a
City benefit that the Life Center provided.
6. A number of abutters and Salem residents, along with several members of the
City Council, were present to speak in favor of the project, including Ward 1
Councilor Lucy Corchado, Council President Jean Pelletier, and Councilor at
Large Joan Lovely. Councilor Mike Sosnowski cited the density of the site as
a concern, but generally spoke in favor of the affordable housing component
of the project. Councilor Matt Veno was unable to attend the meeting, but
submitted a letter supporting the project.
7. Councilor Corchado presented a petition with 140 signatures of neighbors that
support the proposed development. Michael Whelan and Claudia Chuber,
former Councilor of the Ward, spoke in favor of the project on behalf of the
Salem Harbor CDC.
8. A representative of the Point Neighborhood Association stated that the
Petitioner has met with them several times regarding the plans and that the
Association supports the project. The Association is involved in the
immediate neighborhood affected by the project.
9. Community members speaking against the project were mainly concerned
with density and the relocation of the existing senior center.
10. The Petitioner is presently before the Planning Board seeking a Planned Unit
Development Special Permit and Site Plan Review.
11. The Petitioner presented evidence pertaining to the history of institutional use
on the site and the history of height of the buildings on the site over the past
100 years, two of which were taller than the proposed structure.
12. Evidence was presented by the Petitioner regarding the hardship resulting
from the uniquely large size of the lot, 2.6 acres, compared to others in this
district.
13. Evidence presented by the Petitioner demonstrated special conditions and
circumstances exist surrounding the history of use on this lot, including the
fact that four structures presently exist on the lot, the oldest two of which will
remain in the proposed plan.
14. Testimony of the Mayor and various elected officials clearly demonstrated
that the proposed plan and building will offer community benefits, including
mixed income housing, and a Community Life Center owned and operated by
the City of Salem, creating special circumstances which are not found on
other lots in the district.
15. Evidence was presented in support of the requested variances indicating that a
certain minimum number of market rate units are necessary in order to support
the 45 below market units proposed for the new structure, and that without six
stories; the lot could not be developed for residential use. A local developer
testified that he would need to construct at least 8 stories to make the project
profitable. A hardship exists which requires a height variance in order to
provide the high level of public benefit being proposed. The need for
affordable housing was stressed by the Mayor, City officials and various
citizens.
On the basis of the above findings of fact, including all evidence presented at the public
hearing, including, but not limited to, the Petition the Zoning Board of Appeals concludes
as follows:
1. The petitioner's request for variances to allow for a maximum height of
approximately sixty-five (65) feet and six (6) stories does not constitute a
substantial detriment to the public good.
2. The requested relief does not nullify or substantially derogate from the intent
or purpose of the zoning ordinance.
3. The petitioner's lot size and coverage do not generally occur in the district and
are specific to their land.
4. A literal enforcement of the zoning ordinance would create a substantial
hardship to the petitioner.
5. In permitting such change, the Board of Appeals requires certain appropriate
conditions and safeguards as noted below.
In consideration of the above, the Salem Board of Appeals voted, five (5) in favor(Stein,
Pinto, Harris, Debski, Belair) and none (0) opposed, to grant the request for a variance,
subject to the following terms, conditions, and safeguards:
1. Petitioner shall comply with all city and state statutes, ordinances, codes and
regulations.
2. All requirements of the Salem Fire Department relative to smoke and fire
safety shall be strictly adhered to.
3. Petitioner shall obtain a building permit prior to beginning any construction.
4. Certificates of Occupancy are to be obtained.
5. Certificates of Inspection, as required, shall be obtained.
6. Petitioner shall obtain street numbering from the City of Salem Assessor's
Office and shall display said number so as to be visible from the street.
7. Petitioner is to obtain approval from any City Board or Commission having
jurisdiction including, but not limited to, the Planning Board.
8. The proposed new construction shall not exceed six stories or 65 feet in
height.
9. At least thirty-five percent (35%) of the dwelling units on the site shall be
marketed as affordable or below market rates.
10. That the principal use of the first floor of the new building be a municipal use
to include a Community Life Center.
11. That the former rectory and school buildings existing on the site shall be
reused in the proposed project. pp
sdz, Abti
Robin Stein
Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A COPY OF THIS DECISION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE CITY
CLERK
Appeal from this decision, if any,shall be made pursuant to Section 17 of the Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 40A,and shall be filed within 20 days of filing of this decision in the office of the City Clerk.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A,Section 11,the Variance or Special Permit
granted herein shall not take effect until a copy of the decision bearing the certificate of the City clerk that
20 days have elapsed and no appeal has been filed,or that, if such appeal has been filed,that it has been
dismissed or denied and is recorded in the South Essex Registry of Deeds and indexed under the name of
the owner of record or is recorded and noted on the owner's Certificate of Title.
i,U: 1,1 1 r DUL1l,I IUK; LYW1KMA11 bU. Ur
APPEALS; BD. OF APPEALS - 3/28/07
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, SS. SUPERIOR COURT
CIVIL ACTION NO: (5-1� 6 /`7 b
WILLIAM DZIERZEK, JOHN GOFF, DOCTOR )
MIROSLAW KANTOROSINSKI, LINDA LOCKE, )
SOLANGE MARCHAND, JEAN MARTIN, ANA )
PANIAGUA, DIONICIA FLORIAN, ANTOINETTE C. . )
SANCHEZ, JANE E. GAMMON, BRIAN TASHJIAN, )
ROBERT BOZARJIAN, ELIZABETH BOZARJIAN, )
DAVID T. RAMSEY, JEAN E. RAMSEY, SCOTT )
GALBER, DOMENICA INGEMI, STEPHEN C. INGEMI, )
ROBERSON D. TRONCOSO, CLARIZA J. TRONCOSO, )
PATRICIA O'BRIEN, SHAWN M. O'BRIEN, JOHN J.
PHELAN, and CONSTANCE SANFORD ) -
PLAINTIFFS ) "'
CO CD
r _
V )
SALEM LAFAYETTE DEVELOPMENT, LLC, and )
BONNIE BELAIR, ELIZABETH DEBSKI,ANNIE ) 71
HARRIS, STEVEN PINTO, RICHARD DIONNE,ROBIN )
STEIN and NINA COHEN, CHAIRPERSON, BEING )
REGULAR and/or ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE )
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE CITY OF )
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS )
DEFENDANTS )
J
NOTICE OF APPEAL TO ESSEX SUPERIOR COURT FROM MARCH 8, 2007
COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT DECISION OF SALEM ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CONCERNING 135 LAFAYETTE STREET SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
John H. Carr, Jr., attorney for the above-named Plaintiffs, hereby gives notice to the City Clerk
of the City of Salem, Massachusetts that said Plaintiffs have appealed the March 8, 2007
Decision of the Salem Zoning Board of Appeals granting a Comprehensive Permit to Salem
Lafayette Development, LLC concerning the former (so-called) St. Joseph's property at 135
Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, allowing for the construction of up to 79 residential units at said
site, which Decision was filed with the office of the Salem City Clerk at 5:51 p.m. on March 8,
2007.
A copy of the Complaint filed as Essex Superior Court civil action no. on
March 28, 2007 is attached hereto.
William Dzierzek et al,
By their attorney,
March 28, 2007
/'�
John H. r ;sq.
.9 Nor Str _
Salem, MA 0197
978-825-0060
BBO#075
- 2 -
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, SS. SUPERIOR COURT
CIVIL ACTION NO: i
WILLIAM DZIERZEK, JOHN GOFF, DOCTOR
MIROSLAW KANTOROSINSKI, LINDA LOCKE,
SOLANGE MARCHAND, JEAN MARTIN, ANA �)
PANIAGUA, DIONICIA FLORIAN,ANTOINETTE C. )Ly 3e1
SANCHEZ, JANE E. GAMMON, BRIAN TASHJIAN, ) IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
ROBERT BOZARJIAN, ELIZABETH BOZARJIAN, ) FOR THE COUNTY OF ESSEX
DAVID T. RAMSEY,JEAN E. RAMSEY, SCOTT ) MAR 2 $ 2007
GALBER, DOMENICA INGEMI, STEPHEN C. INGEMI, )
ROBERSON D. TRONCOSO, CLARIZA J. TRONCOSO, )
PATRICIA O'BRIEN, SHAWN M. O'BRIEN,JOHN J.
PHELAN, and CONSTANCE SANFORD )
PLAINTIFFS )
V. )
SALEM LAFAYETTE DEVELOPMENT, LLC, and )
BONNIE BELAIR, ELIZABETH DEPSKI, ANNIE )
HARRIS, STEVEN PINTO, RICHARD DIONNE, ROBIN )
STEIN and NINA COHEN, CHAIRPERSON,BEING )
REGULAR and/or ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE ) __
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE CITY OF )
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS )
DEFENDANTS ) 0'
COMPLAINT PURSUANT TO M.G.L. CHAPTER 40A,SECTION 17
APPEALING MARCH 8.2007 DECISION OF THE SALEM
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS GRANTING A COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT FOR
THE PROPERTY AT 135 LAFAYE -TE STREET SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
This is an appeal from a Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals of Salem;
Massachusetts (hereinafter"the ZBA"or`Vt# Board"), dated March 8,2007 and filed with the
Salem City Clerk on March 8, 2007, granting a Comprehensive Permit for the property at 135
Lafayette Street, Salem, Massachusetts(hereinafter"the subject property","the St. Joseph's
complex," or"the St. Joseph's site")on the grounds that said ZBA Decision was arbitrary,
capricious, unreasonable,violated due process, exceeded the Board's authority,was based on
legally and factually untenable grounds, and was wrong as a matter of law.
A certified copy of said March 8, 2007 ZBA Decision is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
PARTIES
Plaintiffs
1. Plaintiff, William Dzierzek, who resides at 146 Summer Street, Danvers, Massachusetts
01923,owns the real estate located at 157 Lafayette Street, Salem, Massachusetts, 10
Dow Street, Salem, Massachusetts, and 12 Dow Street, Salem, Massachusetts, all of
which abut the subject property, and 176 Lafayette Street, 182 Lafayette Street, and 7
Cedar Street, all in Salem, Massachusetts, which properties are all located in the
immediate neighborhood.
2. Plaintiff,John Goff, is a preservation architect and former Executive Director of Historic
Salem Inc.; who, together with his wife,owns and resides at 194 Lafayette Street, Salem
Massachusetts 01970, which property is also located in the immediate neighborhood.
3. Plaintiff, Dr. Miroslaw Kantorosinski, who resides at 8 Almeda Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970, is the owner of 5-5A Ropes Street, Salem, Massachusetts, which
abuts the subject property, and 8-10 Porter Street Court, Salem,Massachusetts, which is
located one block from the subject property, and is located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
4. Plaintiff, Linda Locke, who resides at 1 Pickering Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970,
owns 44-46 Dow Street, Salem, Massachusetts, 7 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
and 13-15 Palmer Street, Salem, Massachusetts, which properties are all within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
5. Plaintiff, Solange Marchand, owns and resides at 159 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970, which property is an abutter to an abutter of the subject property,
and is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
6. Plaintiff, Jean Martin, who resides at 24 Leavitt Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970,
owns (together with her husband)24 Leavitt Street, Salem, Massachusetts, which is
located in the immediate neighborhood, and solely owns 34 Park Street, Salem
'Massachusetts, which is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
`7. Plaintiffs,Ana Paniagua and Dionicia Florian, own 16 Dow Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970, which property abuts the subject property. Ana Paniagua resides at
1000 Loring Avenue,apt. B91, Salem, Massachusetts 01970 and Dionicia Florian resides
at said 16 Dow Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970.
8. Plaintiff,Antoinette C. Sanchez, owns and resides at 20 Dow Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970, which property abuts the subject property.
9. Plaintiff,Jane E. Gammon, owns and resides at unit 1, 160 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the
Salem ZBA.
-2 -
10. .Plaintiff, Brian'Tashjian, owns and resides at 30 Park Street, Salem, Massachusetts
01970, which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
11. Plaintiffs, Robert and Elizabeth Bozarjian, reside at 20 Clark Avenue, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970, and own 9 Park Street, Salem, Massachusetts and 10-12 Park
Street, Salem Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
12. Plaintiffs, David T. Ramsey and Jean E. Ramsey, who reside at 58 Gregory Island
-Road, South Hamilton, Massachusetts 01982,own 12 Palmer Street, Salem;
Massachusetts and 15-17 Leavitt Street, Salem, Massachusetts, which properties are
located within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
13. Plaintiff, Scott Galber, who resides at unit 5, 22 Winter Street, Salem, Massachusetts,
01970; owns 65 Harbor Street, 69-71 Harbor Street, 22-24 Prince Street, and 27 Salem
Street, all in Salem,Massachusetts, which properties are located within the 300 foot
notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
14. Plaintiffs, Stephen C. Ingemi and Domenica Ingemi, own and reside at 7 Fairfield
Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970; which property is located in the immediate
neighborhood.
15. Plaintiffs, Roberson D. Troncoso and Clariza J. Troncoso, own and reside at unit 4, 10
Porter Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, which property is located in the immediate
neighborhood.
16. Plaintiffs, Shawn M. O'Brien and Patricia D. O'Brien, own and reside at 21 Cedar
Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, and also own 23-25 Cedar Street, Salem,
Massachusetts,which properties are located in the immediate neighborhood.
17. Plaintiff,John J. Phelan, owns and resides at 3 Fairfield Street, Salem, Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
18. Plaintiff, Constance Sanford, owns and resides at 19 Park Street,Salem, Massachusetts
-0`1970, which property is located within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem
ZBA.
Defendants
19. Defendant, Salem Lafayette Development,LLC (hereinafter"SLD"), is a non-profit
development corporation with headquarters at 185 Devonshire Street,Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, is the owner of the former St. Joseph's property at 135 Lafayette
Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970; and is the recipient of the March 8, 2007
Comprehensive Permit Decision from the Salem ZBA herewith being appealed.
- 3 -
20. Defendant, Bonnie Belair(hereinafter"Ms. Belair"), whose mailing address is P.O. Box
685, Salem,;Massachusetts 01970, is a regular member of the Salem ZBA who voted to
grant said Comprehensive Permit at the February 21, 2007 ZBA hearing. (This was the
only address available from the ZBA.)
21. Defendant, Elizabeth Debski (hereinafter"Ms. Depski) who resides at 43 Calumet
Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, is a regular member of the Salem ZBA, who voted
to grant said Comprehensive Permit at the February 21, 2007 ZBA hearing.
22. Defendant;Richard Dionne, who resides at.23 Gardner Street, Salem, Massachusetts
.0.1970,is.a.regular..member of.the Salem ZBA, who voted to grant.said .Comprehensive.... .. . .._ .. -
Permit at the February 21, 2007 ZBA hearing.
23. Defendant, Annie Harris (hereinafter"Ms. Harris"), who resides at 43 Calumet Street,
Salem, Massachusetts 01970, is a regular member of the Salem ZBA, who voted to grant
said Comprehensive Permit at the February 21, 2007 ZBA hearing.
24. Defendant, Steven Pinto (hereinafter"Mr. Pinto"), who resides at 55 Columbus Avenue,
Salem, Massachusetts 01970, is an alternate member of the Salem ZBA, who voted to
grant said Comprehensive Permit at the February 21, 2007 ZBA hearing.
25. Defendant, Nina Cohen, who resides at 22 Chestnut Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970,
is Chairperson of the Salem Zoning Board of Appeals, who voted to grant said
Comprehensive Permit at the February 21, 2007 ZBA hearing.
26. Defendant, Robin Stein (hereinafter"Ms. Stein"), who resides at 141 Fort Avenue,
Salem, Massachusetts 01970, is an alternate member of the Salem ZBA. She did not
participate in either the February 12, 2007 or February 21, 2007 ZBA hearings, or the
March 8, 2007 ZBA Decision.
27. All of the foregoing Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action, as all are substantially
aggrieved by the March 8, 2007 Decision of the Salem ZBA granting said
Comprehensive Permit.
JURISDICTION
28. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Section 17 of Chapter 40A of the
Massachusetts General Laws.
29. This case is timely, as it has been filed within twenty(20)days from March 8, 2007,
which is when the ZBA's March 8, 2007 Decision granting said Comprehensive Permit
was filed with the Salem City Clerk.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
-4 -
The Locus
30. The St. Joseph's property consists of a parking lot and 4 buildings on approximately 2.6
acres of land at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem, Massachusetts. The four buildings consist
of the former St. Joseph's church, the 3-story former rectory, the 3-story former St.
Joseph's school, and the 3-story former convent.
31. Said property is a basically rectangular parcel bounded by Lafayette Street to the west,
Harbor Street to the north, Salem Street to the east, and Dow Street to the south, and is
located at the interface of the so-called Point and Lafayette Street neighborhoods.
32. Except for three 2 % - story residential buildings fronting on the northerly side of Dow
Street at the southeast corner of the site,the St. Joseph's property comprises the entire
rectangular block formed by said streets.
33. At the southwest corner of said site is the confluence of Lafayette, Washington, and Dow
Streets; which 3-way intersection constitutes one of the most congested and dangerous
intersections in Salem.
34. One block from the 3-way intersection of Lafayette, Washington, and Dow Streets,
approximately'100 yards to the South from the St. Joseph's site (ie. towards Marblehead),
is the intersection of Palmer and Lafayette Streets,which is another of the busiest and
most dangerous intersections in Salem, being a major egress from the Point
neighborhood.
35. The 2-way intersection at Lafayette and Harbor Streets, and the 2-way intersection at
Washington and Harbor Streets, are also two of the most congested and dangerous
intersections in Salem.
36. All of the four structures at the St. Joseph's site were constructed prior to the enactment
of the current Salem Zoning Ordinance in 1965, and thus, all four buildings represent
prior non-conforming structures.
37. By far, the most architecturally significant building at the site is the former St. Joseph's
Church, which is an important example of the so-called International Style, a style of
modern architecture which isiunique in Salem. As such, it makes an important
contribution to Salem's world-renowned stock of 170i, 180',and 190'century architecture.
V
38. There is no question that the former St. Joseph's Church is eligible for inclusion in the
National Register of Historic Places maintained by the United States Department of the
Interior.
39. The church, rectory, and convent have been vacant since the parish closed on or about
August 15,2004. The school has been vacant since it relocated to the St. James parish on
Federal Street beginning in August or September of 2004.
- 5 -
40. The entire St. Joseph's property is located in an R-3 zoning district.
41. Pursuant to the existing R-3 zoning, a maximum of 33 residential units can be
constructed at the St. Joseph's site as a matter of right, with new construction not to
exceed 45 feet in height and 3 '/z stories.
42. The overwhelming majority of the buildings on the surrounding Lafayette, Dow, Salem,
and Harbor Streets, as well as those on Washington Street opposite the Lafayette Street
side of the property(ie. across from the pocket park), are either 2 % or 3-story residential
dwellings 45 feet in height or less. As such, the overwhelming majority of the buildings
on said surrounding streets.conform to the.3 '/Z story..and 45-foot maximums.pursuant to ...
the existing R-3 zoning in both respects.
43. The grade of the parking lot at the southern third of the site is already approximately 4
feet above the grade of the 2 `/z-story residential buildings fronting on Dow Street at the
southeast comer of the site.
Purchase Of St. Joseph's Site By SLD
44. In the Spring of 2005 the Archdiocese of Boston sold the entire St. Joseph's property to
the Planning Office of Urban Affairs of the Archdiocese of Boston(hereinafter
"POUA"), a private non-profit corporation, for$2,000,000.00,which thereupon created
Salem Lafayette Development Corporation, LLC (hereinafter"SLD")to develop the site.
45. It is unknown whether said $2,000,000.00 purchase price actually changed hands.
46. The head of the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, serves in his individual
capacity as the chief executive officer of POUA.
Prior Salem Planning Board Decision And Appeal
47. On Thursday,July 27,2006,the Planning Board of the City of Salem opened the first of
three lengthy public hearings on SLD's application for a Planned Unit Development
(hereinafter"PUD")to develop the St. Joseph's site into 97 residential units, which
represented 64 units above the 33-unit maximum allowed by the current R-3 zoning, plus
an 18,400 square foot Senior/Community Life Center.
48. The proposed PUD basically called for the razing of the former convent and landmark
Church,the development of the former rectory into 8 residential units,the conversion of
the former school into 14 residential units, and the construction of a new, 6-story, 65-foot
tall building on the site of the former St. Joseph's Church structure, immediately to the
right(ie. south) of the rectory,to contain 75 residential units,plus the 18,400 square foot
Senior/Community Life Center on the first floor.
49. Unlike the existing cruciform church, which was built with its narrow(i.e. 40-foot wide)
nave perpendicular to Lafayette Street, SLD proposed building the new, 65-foot tall, 6-
- 6 -
story structure parallel to Lafayette Street, and within a few feet of the existing Lafayette
Street sidewalk.
50. The footprint of the proposed new structure was/is to be approximately 180 by 120 feet,
which is approximately the same length as the former St. Joseph's Church structure, but
three times the width of the nave.
51. Unlike the existing'cruciform church, all six floors of the new 65-foot structure would be
occupied 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 52 weeks a year, as compared with the
former St.Joseph's Church, whose single-story interior space(albeit 63 feet tall) was
- - -
used for relatively brief Church services primarily on late Saturday..afternoons, Sunday - .---
mornings, and on Holy Days.
52. Of the 97 residential units, SLD proposed renting"approximately" 30 units and selling 67
units as condominiums.
53. There were two major components of the proposed development which SLD argued
entitled it to a PUD, namely the inclusion of affordable housing, and the proposed
Senior/Community Life Center.
54: With respect to the former, SLD initially proposed dedicating 45% of the 97 residential
units, or 44 units,for"affordable housing", which was later scaled back to 35%, or
approximately 34 units, at the final Planning Board hearing on September 7, 2006.
55. The 34 units of affordable housing, whether rented or sold as condominiums, would
involve a discount of approximately 30%below prevailing market rates, for which
eligibility would he based on certain income limitations of the buyer or tenants.
56. Thus, in essence, SLD's PUD application sought an approximate 1941/o increase in
density of 64 residential units over the 33-maximum permitted by the existing R-3 zoning
for the entire site, in return for which 33 of the extra 64 units were to be sold or rented as
affordable housing at a discount(in either event)of approximately 30% below prevailing
market rates.
57. The 31-unit balance of the 64 units which exceeded the current R-3 zoning were to be
sold at market rates, in addition to the 33 residential units already permitted by the
existing R-3 zoning, or altogether 64 units at market rates.
58. Said 194% increase in residential density above the 33-unit maximum permitted under
the existing R-3 zoning did not include the proposed 18,400 square foot
Senior/Community Life Center.
59. Although the purchase price for the 18,400 square foot condominium had not yet been
finalized, the figure discussed at the three Planning Board hearings was approximately
$5,000;000.00.
- 7 -
60. The other quid pro quo of SLD's PUD application was the proposed 18,400 square foot
condominium on the first floor of the proposed new 6-story structure, which was to be
sold to the City of Salem for the Senior/Community Life Center.
61: Complicating said issue was the fact that the overwhelming majority of Salem's senior
citizens who currently use the existing Senior Center on Broad Street were vehement in
their opposition to relocating the existing Senior Center on Broad Street to the St.
Joseph's site.
62. A multi-page petition signed by approximately 300 Salem senior citizens opposing the
proposed new Senior Center at the St. Joseph's site was submitted at the third Planning .
Board hearing on September 7, 2006, which opposition was re-affirmed in a heavily
publicized meeting conducted by Mayor Driscoll at the existing Broad Street Senior
Center a few weeks later.
63. On September 7, 2006 the Salem Planning Board voted to approve SLD's PUD
application.
64. In so doing'the Planning Board ignored several explicit requirements of the Salem
Zoning Ordinance before a PUD can be granted, including Section 7-15 (c)(4) which
reads in relevant part:
Height limitations shall be in accordance with the
zoning district in which the planned unit
development is located.
Emphasis added
65. With respect to traffic, even the Planning Board Chairman, Mr. Power, lamented the lack
of a traffic study at the third Planning Board hearing on September 7, 2006, which he
noted is unprecedented for projects of this size, further stating that even much lesser
projects virtually always involve a traffic study.
66. On October 2, 2006 forty individuals, consisting of owners of property directly abutting
the former St. Joseph's complex, owners of property within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem Zoning Ordinance, and owners of property within the
immediate neighborhood, filed suit in the Essex Superior Court timely appealing said
September 14, 2006 Site Planned Review/Planned Unit Development Decision of the
Salem Planning Board, which action is entitled William Dzierzek et at vs. Salem
Lafayette Development,LLC et at, Civil Action No. 2006-1881D.
Prior Salem ZBA Decision And Appeal
67. In order to build its proposed new, 6-story structure, SLD needed two variances from the
Salem ZBA, one to increase the 45 foot maximum height restriction pursuant to the
existing R-3 zoning by 20 feet, to 65 feet,which represented a 44.44% increase, and the
- 8 -
other to increase,the current maximum of 3 % stories to 6 stories, which represented a
58.33% increase.
68. On August.23,2006 the Salem ZBA conducted a single public hearing on SLD's
application for said variances, even though projects of far less complexity than SLD's
$23 Million project frequently involve several meetings.
69. The Mayor, the Salem City Planner, several representatives of SLD, and SLD's Counsel,
attorney Joseph Correnti of Salem, all spoke at the August 23, 2006 ZBA hearing.
70. -- At the conclusion of said hearing on August 23, 2006,the Salem-ZBA-voted to grant said
variances.
71. On September 22, 2006 forty-two individuals, consisting of owners of property directly
abutting the former St. Joseph's complex, owners of property within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem Zoning Ordinance, and owners of property within the
immediate neighborhood, filed suit in the Essex Superior Court timely appealing said
August 24, 2006 ZBA Decision, which action is entitled William Dzierzek et al vs. Salem
Lafayette Development,LLC et al, Civil Action No. 2006-1820C.
72. Said Complaint basically avers that there was and is no hardship sufficient to entitle SLID
to either or both of said variances; that there were and are no legally-recognized special
conditions or circumstances which justify the granting of said variances; that said
variances constitute a substantial detriment to the public good; and that said variances
nullify and substantial derogate from the intent and purpose of the Salem Zoning
Ordinance.
Prior Salem Historical Commission Decision
73. In the summer of 2006 SLD filed an application with the Salem Historical Commission
(hereinafter"the Commission") seeking to waive Salem's Demolition Delay Ordinance
so that it could demolish the former St. Joseph's Church structure as soon as possible.
74. Salem's Demolition Delay Ordinance basically provides for a 6-month delay before a
building permit can be issued in connection with the demolition of any structures that are
deemed to be historic or architecturally significant.
75. A hearing on said application was held by the Salem Historical Commission on
September 6, 2006.
76. At said hearing SLD requested a continuance of the vote on its application when it
became clear that the Commission regarded the St. Joseph's Church structure to be a
significant building and would not waive the Demolition Delay Ordinance if a vote were
then taken.
- 9 -
77. Mr. Correnti promised to use the intervening three months to work closely with the
Commission in a good faith attempt to resolve the Commission's concerns prior to the
December 6, 2006 continued hearing on SLD's application for the waiver.
78. Notwithstanding said promise, neither SLD nor Mr. Correnti made any effort to
communicate with the Salem Historical Commission during said three months.
79. At its regular bi-monthly meeting on December 6, 2006,the Commission acted on a letter
it had recently received from attorney Joseph Correnti requesting a withdrawal of SLD's
prior application for a waiver of Salem's 6-month Demolition Delay Ordinance. Mr.
Correnti did not attend said meeting. - --
80. However, the Commission refused said withdrawal request, and instead, unanimously
denied said application.
March 8,2007 ZBA Decision on SLD's Chapter 40B Application and Related Vote
Of The Salem City Council Concerning Proposed Senior/Community Life Center
81. At a meeting of the Salem ZBA on January 17, 2007, assistant City Solicitor Jerold
Parisella"briefed"members of the Salem ZBA at the Mayor's direction regarding
Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws(hereinafter"Chapter 40B") in
connection with a new application that SLD would be filing pursuant to said statute
relative to the St. Joseph's site.
82. There was absolutely no prior public notice given with respect to said"briefing."
83. Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a copy of the January 17,2007 Salem ZBA Agenda,
item no. 1 of which recites the following:
. "Discussion of Chapter 40B (Comprehensive Permit Law)-Jerry Parisella"
84. Except for the last Agenda item no. 10 ("Old/New Business"), all of the other 8 items on
said Agenda(ie. numbers 2-9 inclusive)not only included addresses for each matter
before the ZBA that evening, but also, each of those addresses were printed in bold
lettering.
85. There can be no question that said"briefing" before the Salem ZBA on January 17, 2007
was specifically related to SLD's St. Joseph's development, since Mayor Driscoll sent an
e-mail to each member of the City Council a few minutes before midnight on January 17,
2007, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C,wherein she stated the following
in relevant part:
I am writing to you today because members of the
ZBA were informed of a potential Comprehensive
Permit Application and were briefed on the 40B
process by the Assistant City Solicitor at
- 10 -
tonight's ZBA meeting. [Emphasis added with
respect to bold typeface above, but not the italics]
86. The Mayor's January 17, 2007 e-mail continued in relevant part:
Unfortunately,the permits were appealed and the
litigation has dragged on for a number of months,
causing not only delays to construction but
increases in cost related to legal fees and debt
service for P.O.U.A. As a result, P.O.U.A. is
considering alternative options to develop this site. .
One of these alternatives may consist of a
Comprehensive Permit Application to the ZBA,
commonly referred to as a"40B approval".
[Emphasis added]
87. On or about January 24, 2007, as anticipated by the Mayor in her January 17, 2007 e-
mail, SLD submitted an application to the Salem ZBA for a Comprehensive Permit
pursuant to Chapter 40B relative to the St. Joseph's site.
88. There is no question that Salem exceeds the 10%threshold provided in Chapter 40B,
otherwise known as the"Anti-Snob Zoning statute,"which is designed to circumvent
local zoning requirements in those communities where less than 10%of the total housing
stock is devoted to affordable housing.
89. In said Chapter 40B application, SLD proposed a development for its St. Joseph's site
which is virtually identical to that approved by the Salem ZBA in its August 24, 2006
Decision (granting height and number-of-story variances), and by the Salem Planning
Board in its September 14, 2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision,
namely a total of 97 residential units, consisting of 8 condominiums units in the former
St. Joseph's rectory, 14 condominium units in the former St. Joseph's school, and 75
units in the new 6-story, 65-foot tall building (replacing the former St. Joseph's Church
structure), of which 30 units were proposed to be rented, and 45 units were proposed to
be sold as condominiums, ljus an 18,400 square foot Senior/Community Life Center on
the first floor of the proposed new building.
90. Also pursuant to said application, approximately 45 units(and in no event less than 25%,
or 24 units), were proposed to be dedicated to affordable housing.
91. 24of the 97 units represent 10 fewer units of affordable housing than the 34 units of
affordable housing approved by the Salem Planning Board last summer in its September
14, 2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision,which statutory basis
had nothing to do with Chapter 40B.
- 11 -
92. On Thursday, February 1, 2007, the Salem City Planner appeared before the Salem
Planning Board and obtained the Planning Board's endorsement of SLD's January 24,
2007 Chapter 40B application that was scheduled to be heard by the Salem ZBA 11 days
later on February 12, 2007.
93. As with the January 17, 2007 ZBA Agenda, there was absolutely no public notice on the
February 1, 2007 Planning Board Agenda that said meeting would have anything to do
with SLD's St. Joseph's project. A copy of said February 1, 2007 Planning Board
Agenda is attached hereto as Exhibit D.
94..: The February 1, 2007 Planning Board meeting began with the presentation of the Salem
City Planner regarding SLD's new Chapter 40B application, and thus, said Planning
Board meeting did not follow the order of the Agenda items, which is another reason for
construing that the presentation and vote were not noticed under the last Agenda item,
namely"Old/New Business."
95. Also attending the February 1, 2007 Planning Board meeting was Co-Counsel for SLD,
attorney Joseph Correnti of Salem, who (on information and belief) also participated in
said discussion.
- 96. .- -The foregoing are typical of any number of aggressive tactics indulged in by the Mayor
and/or SLD to ram this project through. One particularly flagrant example was her/SLD's
proposal that SLD "donate"the 18,400 square foot condominium for the
Senior/Community Life Center to the City, and that the City simultaneously"donate"
$4.75 Million to SLD, in an attempt to circumvent the necessity of a 2/3's vote of the
City Council to purchase real estate or incur debt,after it became apparent that a simple
majority of the City Council might not approve the Mayor's proposed purchase and
borrowing.
97. A public hearing on SLD's January 24, 2007 Chapter 40B application was opened by the
ZBA on February 12,2007, and later continued to February 21, 2007.
98. On Wednesday, February 7, 2007, 5 days before the February 12, 2007 ZBA hearing, a
committee-of-the-whole of the Salem City Council met at the Bentley School in Salem to
consider the Mayor's request for a$4.75 Million HUD loan in connection with her
proposed purchase of the 18,400 square foot Senior/Community Life Center on'the first
floor of the proposed new structure at the St. Joseph's site.
99. At said meeting of the committee-of-the-whole on February 7, 2007, which lasted
approximately 4 hours,the Mayor and the General Director of SLD, Lisa Alberghini,
testified before the Salem City Council that SLD was reducing said proposed new
structure from 6 stories to 4 stories; that SLD was also reducing the overall residential
density for the project from 97 units to 67 units;and that all of said reduction in
residential density would occur in the proposed new(now) 4-story structure.
- 12 -
!00. In terms of the elevation of the proposed new 4-story structure, all SLD apparently did
was delete the former top 2 stories.
101. In contrast to its presentation to the Salem City Council at the latter's February 7, 2007
public'hearing 5 days earlier, SLD reiterated its originally-proposed development of 97
residential units and a new 6-story, 65-foot tall structure at the first of the two public
hearings conducted by the Salem ZBA on its Chapter 40B application on February 12,
2007, even though SLD maintained (outside said public hearing) that it continued to be
committed to reducing the overall residential density to 67 units, and the height of the
proposed new structure to 4 stories.
102. Notwithstanding that said revisions were the worst kept secret in the City of Salem, SLD
finally revised its formal presentation to the Salem ZBA at the second of the ZBA's two
public hearings on February 21, 2007 to conform with its presentation to the Salem City
Council at the latter's February 7, 2007 public hearing on the Mayor's $4.75 Million
proposed HUD loan.
103. Much of the discussion by both the Mayor, SLD, the Salem City Planner, and members
of the Salem ZBA at either or both the February 12, 2007 and February 21, 2007 ZBA
hearings on SLD's Chapter 40B application revolved around the proposed
-- Senior/Community Life Center,-even though•Chapter 40B dealsexclusively with
"affordable housing,"and has nothing to do with Senior and/or Community Life Centers,
or similar civic amenities.
104. The second of the two ZBA hearings on SLD's 40B application commenced at
approximately 6:30 p.m. on February 21, 2007 and lasted until approximately 11:15 p.m.
As with the earlier February 12, 2007 public hearing,the continued February 21, 2007
ZBA hearing was well attended by the public who spoke predominantly in opposition to
said application.
105. A multi-page proposed draft Comprehensive Permit Decision, ostensibly prepared by the
office of the Salem City.Planner, but(on information and belief)which was really
prepared by Co-Counsel for SLD, namely DLA Piper, LLC of Boston, Massachusetts,
was circulated to the ZBA(for the first time) at approximately 10:30 p.m. on February
21, 2007.
106. The ZBA began to discuss various revisions to said draft Decision, but had not completed
same by the time it adjourned the meeting at approximately 11:15 p.m. on February 21,
2007.
107. Prior to its adjournment of the February 21, 2007 meeting, the ZBA left it that the Salem
City Planner would circulate a proposed final draft Decision by e-mail to each member of
the ZBA, who would then send his or her comments to the City Planner by e-mail (or
otherwise)prior to the preparation of a proposed final Comprehensive Permit Decision.
- 13 -
108. On information and belief, the final ZBA Decision did not contain elements that had been
discussed by the ZBA at its February 21, 2007 public hearing, but were the result of
communications sent by members of the ZBA to the City Planner after February 21,
2007, and as such, violated the Open Meeting Law of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
109. At the conclusion of the February 21, 2007 ZBA hearing,there was no way of knowing
whether the Salem City Council would approve the Mayor's request for the $4.75 Million
14UD loan to purchase the 18,000 square foot Senior/Community Life Center on the first
floor of the proposed new (now) 4-story structure.
110. Anticipating the possibility of an alternative result, the ZBA voted to approve 12
additional residential units in the event the Senior/Community Life Center did not pass.
111. On February 28, 2007 the committee-of-the-whole of the Salem City Council voted by 6
to 5 to refer without a recommendation the Mayor's requested$4.75 Million HUD loan
to purchase the 18,000-square foot Senior/Community Life Center to a regular meeting of
the Salem City Council on Thursday, March 8, 2007. However, it was clear that the same
6 City Councilors would vote against said request on March 8, 2007.
112: -- On°Thru sday,March 8; 2007, in response to her inability to persuade a majority of the
Salem City Council to approve her requested $4.75 million HUD loan, and also in
response to the opposition of the vast majority of Salem's senior citizens who actually
use the existing Senior Center on Broad Street to relocating said facility to the St.
Joseph's site, Mayor Driscoll appeared before the Salem City Council and presented a
revised request to approve a$2.9 Million HUD loan to purchase a 15,000 square foot
condominium on the first floor of the proposed new 4-story structure at the St. Joseph's
site, which would be used for a Community Life Center only.
113. Said condominium would be 3,400 square feet less than the 18,400 square foot combined
Senior/Community Life Center originally proposed by the Mayor and SLD.
114. Said revised request was referred to a meeting of the committee-of-the-whole on
Tuesday,March 20, 2007, at which it was defeated by a 6 to 5 vote at approximately 8:30
p.m.,or approximately 2 Y2 hours after the March 8, 2007 Decision of the Salem ZBA
granting SLD a Comprehensive Permit pursuant to Chapter 40B was filed in the Salem
City Clerk's office at 5:51 p.m. on said date.
115. Said March 20, 2007 vote of the committee-of-the-whole of the Salem City Council was
effectively ratified at a regular meeting of the Council two days later on Thursday, March
22, 2007.
116. The ZBA's March 8, 2007 Comprehensive Permit Decision provides for the construction
of up to 67 residential units at the St. Joseph's site, of which 8 residential condominium
units are to be located in the rehabilitated former St. Joseph's rectory, 14 residential
condominium units are to be located in the rehabilitated former St. Joseph's school, and
- 14 -
45 residential units are to be located in the new 4-story structure, of which 15 units are to
be sold as condominiums and 30 units are to be rented as apartments.
11.7. Said March 8, 2007ComprehensivePermit Decision also recited that the new 4-story
building is expected "to contain approximately 18,400 square feet of community space,"
subject to Condition 32 (entitled"Community Life Center").
118. Condition 32 provides that in the event SLD (a/k/a"the Applicant") and the City of
Salem"do not execute a mutually acceptable agreement regarding the use and operation
of the Community Life Center...,the Applicant may use the first floor of the new
building for residential units and community space (provided that in no event shall the
total number of residential units exceed 79 units)."
119. Thus, the March 8, 2007 Comprehensive Permit Decision of the Salem ZBA provides for
a total of 79 residential units at the St. Joseph's site, of which 20 units (or 25%) need be
"affordable," and 59 units may be rented or sold at market rates.
120. Said total residential density amounts to 46 units above the 33-unit maximum pursuant
to the existing R-3 zoning, or a 139.39% increase.
-121. Of the 79 units, only 25%,or 20 units,need-to be affordable.
122. ' Thus,of the 18-unit total reduction in density, 14 of those 18 deleted units involved
affordable housing units, as opposed to market-rate units.
123. No traffic study was performed by either SLD or the City prior to the March 8, 2007
Comprehensive Permit Decision, although Condition 10 (entitled"Traffic Mitigation")
requires SLD after the fact to contribute $20,000.00 "toward a study/design of
intersection and traffic improvements at Lafayette Street."
124. As to each of the following Counts,the Plaintiffs reaffirm, re-allege, and incorporate all
of the prior allegations contained in paragraphs 1-123 inclusive above.
ARGUMENT
COUNTI
The Salem ZBA acted illegally in basing its March 8,2007
Decision on Chapter 40B, and not the standards of a variance
125. There is absolutely no question that Salem already exceeds the 10%threshold of Chapter
4013, since more than 10%of its housing stock is already dedicated to affordable housing.
126. There is also no question that the March 8, 2007 Comprehensive Permit Decision of the
Salem ZBA does in fact substantially vary the provisions of the Salem Zoning Ordinance
as regards the St. Joseph's site.
- 15 -
127. As such, the Plaintiffs aver that the standards the ZBA should have applied to SLD's
January 24, 2007 application were not the standards of Chapter 40B, but the standards for
a variance, which were certainly not met here.
128. SLD's January 24, 2007 Chapter 40B application proposed a development that was
virtually identical to the development for which it had already obtained approval pursuant
to the August 24, 2006 Decision of the Salem ZBA and the September 14, 2006 Site Plan
Review/Planned Unit Development Decision of the Salem Planning Board.
129. Indeed, at the-first-of the.two.ZBA hearings on February 12, 2007, SLD steadfastly
reiterated its original proposal in its entirety, which(again) basically provided for 97
residential units, a new 6-story, 65-foot tall structure replacing the former St. Joseph's
Church, and an 18,400 square foot Senior/Community Life Center on the first floor of the
proposed new structure, even though it had already indicated to the Salem City Council
(and the public at large) at the public hearing at the Bentley School on February 7, 2007
that it would scale back the new structure from 6 to 4 stories, and that it would also scale
back the overall residential density from 97 to 67 units.
130. It is also important to keep in mind that the subsequent reductions in height and density
were not the result of conditions of approval im osed on SLD by the ZBA, but were
Volun decisions made by SLD in advance of the ZBA's March 8, 2007 Decision,
presumably to curry favor with the Salem City Council prior to the latter's vote on the
Mayor's requested$4.75 Million HUD loan to fund the purchase of the proposed
Senior/Community Life Center.
131. As is explicitly clear from the Mayor's e-mail which she sent to each member of the
Salem City Council a few minutes before midnight on Wednesday,January 17, 2007
(Exhibit C), SLD filed said January 24, 2007 Chapter 40B application for the sole
purpose of circumventing the pending appeals from the August 24, 2006 Decision of the
Salem ZBA and the'September 14, 2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development
Decision of the Salem Planning Board.
132. As such, however laudable the goal of affordable housing may be, including to the within
Plaintiffs, it does not justify setting aside the zoning laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and adopting a legal, moral, and philosophical basis for the ZBA's March
8, 2007 Decision that basically amounts to "the ends justifying the means."
133. Pursuant to the ZBA's March 8, 2007 Comprehensive Permit Decision,the total
residential density for the project amounts to 79 units, or 46 units above the 33-unit
maximum pursuant to the existing R-3 zoning,which represents a 139.4% increase.
134. And while said 139.4% increase is less than the 194%increase the Planning Board
granted SLD in its September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development
Decision last summer, it still amounts to more than double the maximum permitted under
the existing R-3 zoning for the district.
- 16 -
135. Given the extraordinary speed and legal recklessness with which the Salem ZBA
approved SLD's two variances last summer, thereby ignoring the very strict standards
legally required for a variance, it is not surprising that the Salem ZBA would approve
SLD's Chapter 40B application, even in its original state, especially considering that the
ZBA had been"briefed"on Chapter 40B by a member of the Mayor's administration on
January 17, 2007, for which no effective public notice had been given.
136. After all,the"friendly"use of Chapter 40B by the Salem ZBA represents a total reversal
of the usual dynamic whereby local municipal Boards resent the loss of local control, and
the lower appellate standard of review, inherent in Chapter.40B.
137. Given its similar utter disregard of the explicit requirements for PUDs in the Salem
Zoning Ordinance in its September 14, 2007 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development
Decision, and the"briefing" it received from another member of the Mayor's
administration on February 1, 2007, for which absolutely no public notice was given, it is
likewise not surprising that the Salem Planning Board voted to endorse SLD's Chapter
40B application on February 1, 2007.
138. The Plaintiffs aver that the approval procedure followed by SLD last summer before the
- Salem ZBA and Planning Board-was at least the correct procedure, but not the correct
result.
139. Allowing such transparent"end runs" around traditional zoning law when a community
has met the 10%threshold of Chapter 40B would effectively permit a parallel statutory
scheme for land use planning(for which there are no clear standards), and would also
effectively invite the kind of political manipulation that has obviously occurred here.
140. Chapter 40B was obviously intended to facilitate the creation of affordable housing in
those communities where affordable housing represents less than 10%of the total
housing stock; it was never intended to circumvent local zoning requirements in those
communities where affordable housing already exceeds said 10%.
141. The Plaintiffs also respectfully aver that the Chapter 40B was not intended to concentrate
affordable housing in one particular area,whether in a single community or region, but
was intended to spread out affordable housing.
COUNT II
The Salem ZBA violated Chapter 40B by not adequately considering the impact
of the proposed project on the existing surrounding neighborhood.
142. Washington and Lafayette Streets are already two of the busiest and most congested
streets in Salem,particularly at morning and afternoon rush hour periods,and when the
Saltonstall School lets out at mid-aftemoon.
- 17
143. The surrounding 3-way intersection are Washington, Dow, and Lafayette Streets, and the
surrounding 2-way intersections at Washington and Harbor Streets, Lafayette and Harbor
Streets, and Lafayette and Palmer Streets, are already among the most dangerous and
most congested intersections in Salem.
144. Indeed a left-band turn from Lafayette Street onto Dow(ie. heading south toward
Marblehead) is not even permitted.
145. Parking is also grossly inadequate throughout the so-called Point Neighborhood, which is
already one of the densest, if not the densest, neighborhoods in Salem.
146. The ZBA's March 8,2007 Comprehensive Permit Decision provides for inadequate off- .
street parking to meet the needs of the residents, their family members, their guests, and
those who deliver goods and services to them.
147. Even in its reduced state, the March 8, 2007 Comprehensive Permit Decision represents a
139.4% increase over the 33-unit maximum permitted pursuant to the existing R-3 zoning
for the district.
148. As such, it grossly exacerbates all of the unacceptably high present parking and traffic
problems of the neighborhood:
149. The ZBA's solution for the impact of the project on traffic is (simplistically)to require
SLD to contribute $20,000.00 toward a traffic study.
150. In so doing,the ZBA blindly assumes that a real solution is possible,and that such a
modest sum would be adequate to accomplish same, but leaves open the question of
how the solution would be implemented, and by whom.
151. Creating such additional burdens on both the neighborhood, and on one of the principle
entrance corridors to the City of Salem, does a disservice to both the residents and the
neighborhood the project is intended to benefit.
152. Such burdens are not worth the purported advantages of creating a required minimum of
only 24 units of affordable housing, especially at a discount of only 301/6, or the 55 units
of market rate units that are also being created.
COUNT III
The Salem ZBA failed to take into account the existing vacancy
rates already in the neighborhood for units of similar size and rent.
153. The Salem ZBA failed to take into account the vacancy rate that already exists in the
immediate neighborhood for comparably priced residential units of similar size.
18
154. As such, SLD failed to demonstrate an adequate need for the ZBA's March 8, 2007
Comprehensive Permit Decision.
COUNT IV
The March 8, 2007 Comprehensive Permit Decision of the Salem ZBA violated the
Massachusetts Open meeting Law.
155. The ZBA's discussion of the 1 I-page draft Decision prepared(on information and belief)
by SLD had not concluded by the time the ZBA adjourned its February 21, 2007 meeting
at approximately 11:15 p.m.
156. On information and belief,the written comments exchanged by members of the ZBA
after the February 21,2007 meeting did not include items discussed at said meeting, or
reasonably implied by what was discussed.
157. To the extent that occurred, and is included in the March 8, 2007 ZBA Decision,the
Plaintiffs aver that said Decision violates the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.
COUNT V
The amount of time spent by SLD and the Salem ZBA exposes the fact that the project was
never primarily motivated by "affordable housing."
158. Most of the discussion by the ZBA, SLD, and the public at both the February 12, 2007
and February 21, 2007 ZBA public hearings on SLD's 40B application focused on the
highly controversial issue of the proposed Senior/Community Life Center.
159. However, said discussion was and is irrelevant to Chapter 40B, which has nothing to do
with such civic amenities, but instead,deals exclusively with the issue of affordable
housing.
160. That the Mayor and SLD spent such an extraordinary(even predominate) amount of time
and effort in trying to get the Senior/Community Life Center passed, and the fact that the
minimum number of residential units dedicated to affordable housing is only 20 units(ie.
79 units x 25%), as compared with 34 units approved pursuant to the September 14, 2006
Planning Board Decision, exposes the fact that Chapter 40B is not the proper statutory
basis for SLD's St. Joseph's project.
161. For.all of the above reasons in Counts I-V inclusive, among others,the Plaintiffs aver that
the Salem ZBA acted willfully and capriciously, and exceeded its authority, in approving
said March 8, 2007 Comprehensive Permit Decision.
RELIEF SOUGHT
The Plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court:
- 19 -
a. enter a Judgment in their favor annulling in full the March 8, 2007 Comprehensive
Permit Decision of the Salem ZBA:
b. award the Plaintiffs cost and reasonable attorneys fees in connection with their
prosecution of this appeal;
c. grant such other relief as is just and expedient.
Respectfully_submitted,
William Dzierzek et al
By their attorney,
March 28, 2007
Jo H. x,,r., sq.
9 North Stree
Salem, MA 970
978-825-0 0
BBO# 281
20
h , h1 1 /-T
�osutr�.A CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF APPEAL
120 WASHINGTON STREET, 3RD FLOOR
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970
4P
TELEPHONE: 978-745-9595
po�P
FAX 978-740-9846
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL
MAYOR
o r..
March 8, 2007 '
o(—
Decision J
r;=
Petition of Salem Lafayette Development , LLC requesting r.9 m
Comprehensive Permit for the property cn
at 135 Lafayette Street
City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A public hearing on the above petition was opened on February 12, 2007 and continued to
February.21, 2007 pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Ch. 40B. The following Zoning
Board members were present: Nina Cohen, Richard Dionne, Steven Pinto, Elizabeth Debski,
Bonnie Belair and Annie Harris.
The petitioner, Salem Lafayette Development, LLC, sought a Comprehensive Permit under MGL
Chapter 40B to allow the renovation of the former rectory and school buildings, and the
construction of a new six-story building for the property located at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,
in the Multi-Family Residential (R-3)zoning district.
The Board of Appeals, after careful consideration of the evidence and testimony presented at the
public hearing, and after thorough review of the Petition submitted, makes the following findings
of fact:
1. Salem Lafayette Development LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company with an office
c/o Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Inc., 84 State Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts
02109 (together with its successors and assigns, the "Applicant") has requested that the
Board issue pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40B ("Chapter 40B")a
comprehensive permit for the construction of a three-building, multi-family apartment/
condominium complex with approximately 18,400 square feet of community space(the
"Development") on 2.6 acres of land located at the intersection of Lafayette Street and
Harbor Street in Salem, Massachusetts consisting of a parcel shown on Assessor's Map 34 as
Parcel 0307 (the "Property"). The Applicant submitted to the Board a formal application on
January 24, 2007 accompanied by preliminary civil engineering and architectural plans for
the Development(the "Application"). As to environmental matters,the Applicant
submitted to the Board an Environmental Site Assessment prepared by DeRosa
Environmental Consulting, Inc. dated October 26, 2004. ��E COPY ATTEST
BOSTI\460477.7 SALEM, MASS.
BOSTI\462730.1
2. The Applicant has complied with the procedural requirements of Chapter 40B, Section 21 for
submission of an application for a comprehensive permit. The Applicant requested a
comprehensive permit pursuant to Chapter 40B because the Development qualifies as low-
and/or moderate-income housing as defined in Sections 20-23 of Chapter 40B. The Property
is located in an R-3 zoning district under the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance (the "Zoning
Ordinance"). The Applicant has submitted a list of provisions under the Zoning Ordinance
with which the Development will not comply, including, without limitation, exceptions
related to permitted uses, height, density, off-street parking, site plan review and
development permits.
3. The Board conducted public hearings on the Application on February 12, 2007, and February
21, 2007.
4. As part of its deliberations, the Board found that there exists a need for the production of new
affordable housing, given certain facts including but not limited to the following: The City
of Salem FY 07 One—Year Action Plan describes the tremendous local need for additional
affordable housing and makes funding the production of new affordable rental housing units
a priority. The following are among the factors contributing to this need, as identified in the
aforementioned document:
a. The waiting period for a standard applicant for Salem Housing Authority/State
housing for-families is 4-5+ years or more;
b. A family waiting for Section 8 will wait 3+ years;
c. 24.6% of Salem homeowners are paying thirty percent or more of their income in
monthly housing costs (and, as such, are housing cost burdened);
d. 35.5% of Salem renters are paying thirty percent or more of their income in
monthly housing costs (and, as such, are housing cost burdened);
e. The housing homeowner vacancy rate is .9% and the rental vacancy rate is 2.5%,
indicating that the supply of available housing in Salem is dramatically low; and
f. The demand for subsidized housing far exceeds the supply. People on waiting
lists for units or vouchers must wait several years before an opening is available.
In addition to the above, 43.7% of homeowners in the Point Neighborhood experience
housing cost burdens (as compared to the 24.6% Citywide noted above) and, according to the
2000 Census; 49% of housing units in Salem are owner occupied as compared to 15.5°o
owner occupied housing units in the Point Neighborhood. Regarding income information as
an indicator of need, the median household income in Salem, based upon the 2000 Census,
was $44,033, and a household at this income could afford to spend approximately$1,100 per
month on housing expenses. The median income for the Point Neighborhood was $26,691,
and a household at this income could afford to spend $677 per month on housing expenses.
5. This comprehensive permit requires that the Development be constructed in compliance with
the standards of the Massachusetts Building Code. Furthermore, the conditions of this
comprehensive permit require the design of the Development to incorporate features to
mitigate potential impacts on the health and safety of the occupants of the Development and
occupants of the neighborhood.
2
BOSTI\460477.7 ..
BOSTI\462730.1
6. The Applicant will own the Development through a single purpose entity that will be a
limited dividend organization eligible to receive a subsidy under the federal low income
housing tax credit program (the "LIHTC Program") and the federal HOME Investment
Partnerships Program (the "HOME Program"), both administered by the Massachusetts
Department of Housing and Community Development ("DHCD"); therefore, the Applicant is
an eligible recipient of a comprehensive permit. The Applicant has shown evidence of its
interest in the Property sufficient to qualify it as a recipient for a comprehensive permit.
7. During the course of the hearing on the Application, the Board took testimony from
interested citizens and received correspondence from various boards including the Planning
Board, the Board of Health, the City Engineer, the Inspector of Buildings, the Conservation
Commission, and the Fire Department. The correspondence incorporated by reference the
results of several months of review and study of the Development by City boards and
departments in connection with related applications for the Development.
On the basis of the above findings of fact, including all evidence and testimony presented at the
public hearing, including, but not limited to the Petition, the Zoning Board of Appeals concludes
as follows:
1. The Applicant has.met the various requirements of Chapter 40B and the regulations
promulgated thereunder regarding the status of the Applicant.
•
2. In permitting said Comprehensive Permit, the Board of Appeals requires certain
appropriate conditions to best ameliorate the issues raised by the construction of the
Development, as well as responding to other potential concerns regarding health and
safety of the occupants of the Development and of occupants of the neighborhood. The
Board finds that the conditions as noted below will serve to best protect the community
and the health and safety of the occupants of the proposed Development.
In consideration of the above, the Salem Board of Appeals voted, five (5) in favor(Cohen,
Dionne, Debski, Belair, Harris) and none (0) opposed, to grant the Comprehensive Permit to the
Applicant under the provisions of G.L. c. 40B, §§20-23 for the construction of up to 67 units of
multi-family apartment and condominium housing at the Property(with such increases allowed
by Condition#32 below), currently estimated to include 30 apartment units and 15 condominium
- units in a new four-story building, 8 condominium units in the rehabilitated former rectory - -_-.
building, and 14 condominium units in the rehabilitated former school building. The new
four-story building is also expected to contain approximately 18,400 square feet of community
space. The Board approves all exceptions to the Zoning Ordinance requested in the Application
and required to construct the Development substantially in accordance with the Plans, subject to
and conditioned upon the following requirements captioned "Conditions of Approval':
Conditions of Approval
I. Conformance with Plans; General. The Development shall conform to the plans
listed on Exhibit A attached hereto, copies of which are on file with the Board
(the 'Plans"), as they may be modified in the process of preparing construction
drawings in conformance with the conditions set forth below. Any approvals
-3-
BOSTI\460477.7
BOSTI\462730.1 -
requiredunder the conditions listed below shall be made in a timely manner and
in the event of any conflict among any of the boards or officers required to give
approvals under the conditions listed below or between the Applicant and any
such board or officer, the Board will have authority to resolve any such conflict.
2. Number of Units. Except as provided in Condition 432 below, no more than
67 total dwelling units shall be constructed in a multi-family complex consisting
of three (3) residential buildings as identified in the Plans. The unit types and
bedroom mix will be substantially in accordance with the Plans. provided that the
Applicant shall be permitted to reduce the size of the Development by eliminating
units of one or more different types and bedroom sizes.
3. Affordability. As required by Chapter 40B, no less than twenty-five percent of
the units approved for the Development shall be affordable in perpetuity to
individuals'and/or families eaming not more than eighty percent (80%) of the area
median income for the Boston Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by HUD
on an annual basis ("Qualified Households"). In addition to the foregoing, the
Applicant has agreed that at least an additional 10%of the units approved for the
Development shall be affordable in perpetuity to Qualified Households, for a total
level of affordability of at least thirty-five percent (35%). The affordable units -
shall be located in the new four-story building to be constructed on the Property.
4. Salem Resident Preference. During the initial lease-up/sale period, Salem
residents who properly apply for lease/purchase of an affordable unit and who
meet all qualification requirements for acceptance as determined by the Applicant
shall receive a preference for 70% of the affordable units at the Development, to
the extent permitted under state and federal fair housing laws and applicable
subsidy programs. After such initial lease-up period, qualified Salem residents
shall have a preference as stated above for 70% of the affordable apartment units
as they become available for re-leasing, provided no one is ahead of such Salem
resident on an established waiting list. For purposes of this Condition #4, the
term"Salem residents" shall mean:
(a) Current City Resident: at least one member of the applicant's household is
currently a resident'of the City of Salem; or
(b) Family Connection to the City:
•' At least one member of the applicant's household is a parent or child of a
Current City Resident or
• At least one member of the applicant's household is a parent of a child
enrolled in a Salem public school system (K-12) at the time of the application;
or
(c) Current or Retired City Employee:
• At least one member of the applicant's household is a current employee of the
City, or
• at least one member of the applicant's household is a former employee of the
City who (a) had been employed by the City and (b) at the time of the
-4-
BOSTI\460477.7
BOSTI\462730.1
d. All construction vehicles shall be cleaned prior to leaving the site so that
they do not leave dirt and/or debris on surrounding roadways as they leave
the site.
e. All construction shall be performed in accordance with the Rules and
Regulations of the Planning Board, and in accordance with any and all
rules, regulations and ordinances of the City of Salem.
f. All construction vehicles left overnight at the site, must be located
completely on the site.
g. A Construction Management Plan and Construction Schedule shall be
submitted by the Applicant prior to the issuance of a building permit.
Included in this plan, but not limited to, shall be information regarding
how the construction equipment will be stored, a description of the
construction staging area and its location in relation to the site, and where
the construction employees will park their vehicles. The plan and
schedule shall be submitted and approved by the City Planner prior to the
is of a building permit. All storage of materials and equipment will
be on site.
h. Special attention shall be paid by the Applicant to locate the statue of
St. Joseph reported to be buried on the site. If said statue is located, the
Applicant shall work with the Archdiocese of Boston to resolve its status,
and if feasible, as determined by the City Planner based on documentation
from the Applicant to preserve it in accordance with the requirements of
the Archdiocese.
9. Clerk of the Works. A Clerk of the Works shall be provided by the City, at the
expense of the Applicant, its successors or assigns, as is deemed necessary by the
City Planner.
10. Traffic Mitigation. The Applicant agrees to contribute $20,000 toward a
study/design of intersection and traffic improvements at Lafayette Street. Such
payment shall be-made to the City upon the Applicants receipt of a building
permit for the construction of the new building proposed for the site.
11. Fire Department. All work shall comply with the requirements of the Salem Fire
Department prior to the issuance of any building permits.
12. Building Inspector. All work shall comply with the requirements of the Salem
Building Inspector.
13. Board of Health
a. The individual presenting the plan to the Board of Health must notify the
Health Agent of the name, address, and telephone number of the project
-6-
BOSTI\460477.7 - -
BOSTI\462730.1
(site) manager who will be on site and directly responsible for the
construction of the project.
b. If a DEP tracking number is issued for the site under the Massachusetts
Contingency Plan, no structure shall be constructed until the Licensed Site
Professional responsible for the site certifies that soil and ground water for
the entire site meets the DEP standards for the proposed use.
C. The Applicant shall adhere to the drainage plan as approved by the City
Engineer. -
d. The Applicant shall employ a licensed pesticide applicator to exterminate
the area prior to construction, demolition, and/or blasting and shall send a
copy of the exterminator's invoice to the Health Agent.
C. The Applicant shall maintain the area free from rodents throughout
construction.
f The Applicant shall submit to the Health Agent a written plan for dust
control and street sweeping which will occur during construction. .
g. The Applicant shall submit to the Health Agent a written plan for
containment and removal of debris, vegetative waste, and unacceptable
excavation material generated during demolition and/or construction.
h. The Fire Department must approve the plan regarding access for fire
fighting.
i. Noise levels from the resultant establishment(s) generated by operations,
including but not limited to refrigeration and heating, shall not increase the
broadband sound level by more than 10 dB(A) above the ambient levels
measured at the property line.
j. The Applicant shall disclose in writing to the Health Agent the origin of
any fill material needed for the project.
k. If a rock crusher is on site, a plan for placement of the crusher must be
approved by the Health Agent prior to placement and use.
1. Plans for food a establishment must be presented to the Health Agent and
approved prior to construction.
M. The resultant establishment(s) shall dispose of all waste materials resulting
from its operations in an environmentally sound manner as described to
the Board of Health.
n. The Applicant shall notify the Health Agent when the project is complete
for final inspection and confirmation that above conditions have been met.
_7_
BOSTI\460477.7
BOSTI\462730.1
14. Utilities
a. Utility installation shall be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer
prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. All on site electrical utilities
shall be located underground.
b. The Applicant shall clean the drain line on Dow Street downstream from
the work site to Salem St. preventing any debris from entering the
downstream pipes.
15. Department of Public Services. The Applicant shall comply with all requirements
of the Department of Public Services.
16. Signage. Proposed signage shall be reviewed and approved by the City Planner
and the Sign Review Committee.
17. Lighting
a. No light shall cast a glare onto adjacent parcels or adjacent rights of way.
b. A final lighting plan shall be submitted to the City Planner for review and
approval prior to the issuance of a building permit.
C. After installation, lighting shall be reviewed and approved by the City
Planner, prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
18. HVAC. If an HVAC unit is located on the roof or site, it shall be visually
screened. The method for screening the unit shall be submitted to the City
Planner for review and approval prior to installation.
19. Lafayette Park. The Applicant and its successors and assigns agree to contribute
$1,500.00 per year to the City of Salem for the purpose of creating a fund for the
ongoing maintenance and upkeep of Lafayette Park. Such payment shall be made
to the Department of Planning and Community Development commencing upon
- the receipt of a building permit for the construction of the new building proposed
for the site and on June 1 of each year thereafter.
20. Landscaping.
a. All landscaping shall be done in accordance with the approved set of
plans, with the following revision: the Applicant shall locate columnar
trees along the perimeter of the site where they believe they are most
appropriate and shall submit.a revised landscaping plan reflecting this
placement to the City Planner for review and approval, prior to the
issuance of a building permit.
b. Trees shall be a minimum diameter of 3 %2" dbh (diameter breast height).
-8-
BOSTI\460477.7 .-
BOSTI\462730.1 -
r
c. Maintenance of landscape vegetation shall be the responsibility of the
Applicant, his successors or assigns.
d. Any street trees removed as a result of construction shall be replaced. The
location of any replacement trees shall be approved by the City Planner
prior to replanting.
e. Final completed landscaping, done in accordance with the approved set of
plans, shall be subject to approval by the City Planner prior, for
consistency with such plans, to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
f Fencing shall be installed along the property line on Salem Street and
directly abutting the residences on Dow Street. The section of fencing
along Salem Street shall be a four-foot black industrial grade aluminum.
The section of fencing along the residences along Dow Street shall be
wooden. Details and specifications for the fencing shall be submitted to
the City Planner for review and approval prior to the issuance of any
building permits.
21. Maintenance.
a. Refuse removal, ground maintenance and snow removal shall be the
responsibility of the Applicant, his successors or assigns.
b. Winter snow in excess of snow storage areas on the site shall be removed
off site.
C. Maintenance of all landscaping shall be the responsibility of the
Applicant. The Applicant, his successors or assigns, shall guarantee all
trees and shrubs for a two- (2) year period, from issuance of the Certificate
of Occupancy and completion of planting.
22. As-built Plans. As-built Plans, stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer,
shall be submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development
and Department of Public Services prior to the issuance of Certificates of
Occupancy.
The As-Built plans shall be submitted to the City Engineer in electronic file
format suitable for the City's use and approved by the City Engineer, prior to the
issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
A completed tie card, a blank copy (available at the Engineering Department) and
a certification signed and stamped by the design engineer, stating that the work
was completed in substantial compliance with the design drawing must be
_ submitted to the City Engineer prior to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy;
as well as, any subsequent requirements by the City Engineer.
-9-
BOSTI\460477.7 ..".
BOSTI\462730.1
Community Life Center operation. When the Community Life Center is
closed those spaces shall first be available for overnight parking by
residents of the Development and then, as and if available, as additional
off-street parking for residents of the neighborhood.
33. Reuse of Rectory and School Buildings. The former rectory and school buildings
existing on the site shall be reused in the Development in accordance with the
Plans, and best efforts shall be made to maintain the existing historic character of
these buildings.
Nina Cohen, Chair
Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A COPY OF THIS DECISION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK
Appeal from this decision, if any, shall be made pursuant to Section 21 of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter
40B and Section 17 of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, and shall be filed within 20 days of filing of
this decision in the office of the City Clerk.The Comprehensive Permit granted herein shall not take effect until a
copy of the decision bearing the certificate of the City Clerk has been filed with the Essex South Registry of Deeds.
A TRUE COP ATTEST
SALEM, MASS.
-II-
BOST1\460477.7 -
BOSTIW62730.1
23. Building Materials. Illustrations and/or samples of exterior building materials,
which shall be predominantly red brick, shall be submitted to the City Planner for
approval prior to the issuance of a building permit.
24. Violations. Violations of any condition contained herein shall result in revocation
of this permit by the Board, unless the violation of such condition is waived by a
majority vote of the Board.
25. Compliance With Laws. Applicant shall comply with all city acid state statutes,
ordinances, codes and regulations.
26. Smoke and Fire Safety. All requirements of the Salem Fire Department relative
to smoke and fire safety shall be strictly adhered to.
27. Building Permit. Applicant shall obtain a building permit prior to beginning any
construction.
28. Certificates of Occupancy. Certificates of Occupancy are to be obtained.
29. ,. Certificates of Inspection. Certificates of Inspection, as required, shall be
obtained.
30. Street Numbering. Applicant shall obtain street numbering from the City of
Salem Assessor's Office and shall display said number so as to be visible from the
street.
31. Height. The proposed new construction shall not exceed four stories or 50 feet in
height, not including mechanical systems equipment.
32. Community Life Center.
a. The principal use of the first floor of the new building shall be a municipal
use to include a Community Life Center. In the event that (1) all
permitting and financing requirements necessary for the Community Life
Center to be built in a timely manner cannot be met; and/or(2) the
Applicant and the City do not execute a mutually acceptable agreement
regarding the use and operation of the Community Life Center(including
but not limited to the use and operation of the dedicated parking spaces
described in subparagraph (b) below), the Applicant shall not be required
to include the Community Life Center in the Development and the
Applicant may use the first floor of the new building for residential units
and community space (provided that in no event shall the total number of
residential units in the Development exceed 79 units). The Applicant may
not use the first floor of the new building for any other purpose without
obtaining prior Board review.
b. Forty-five (45) dedicated parking spaces shall be made available to the
City for use by the Community Life Center during any and all hours of
-10-
BOSTI\460477.7 ....
BOSTI\462730.1
EXHIBIT A
LIST OF ATTACHED DRAWINGS
February 21, 2007
Preliminary Site Development Plans
Civil Engineering
• Title Sheet, February 21, 2007
• ALTA Survey, June 14, 2005
• Layout and Materials Plan (C-1.1), February 21, 2007
• Utility and Grading Plan (C-2.1), February 21, 2007
• Planting Plan (C-3.1), February 21, 2007
• Site Details (C-4.1), February 21, 2007
• Site Details (C-4.2), February 21, 2007
• Site Details (C-4.3), February 21, 2007
• Turning Movement Plan, (C-5.1), February 21, 2007
Preliminary Architectural Plans
Architectural Design
New Construction Building (Four Story)
• Rendering, February 21, 2007
• Title Sheet, (T1.00), February 21, 2007
• Basement Plan (A1.01), February 21, 2007
• First Floor Plan (A1.02), February 21, 2007
• Second Floor Plan (Al.03), February 21, 2007
• Third Floor Plan (A 1.04), February 21, 2007
• Fourth Floor Plan (A-1:05), February 21, 2007
• Exterior Elevations (A 4.01), February 21, 2007
• Exterior Elevations (A 4.02), February 21, 2007
School Building Rehabilitation
• Ground Floor Plan, August 10, 2005
• First Floor Plan, August 10, 2005
• Second Floor Plan, August 10, 2005
• Exterior Elevation Photographs
Rectory Building Rehabilitation
• Basement Floor Plan, August 10, 2005
• First Floor Plan, August 10, 2005
-12-
- - BOSTI\460477.7 - - -
BOSTI\462730.1
• Second Floor Plan, August 10, 2005
• Third Floor Plan August 10, 2005
• Exterior Elevation Photographs
-13-
BOST1\460477.7 _
BOSTI4162730.1
ST. JOSEPH'S REDEVELOPMENT
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT
February 21, 2007
EXHIBIT B
• Salem Council on Aging
North Shore Elder Services
• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Salem Chapter
• Polish League of American Veterans (PLAY)
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1524
• Veteran's Affairs, City of Salem
• Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute of Salem State College, Inc.
Masonic Temple Association
Houses of Worship of all denominations throughout Salem
I
RECTORY BUILDING
• REHABILITATION
• 8 UNITS
! T— f
a4
rLD ARC
CI
KS
s' µM ClN�lc6 ECA4C4 6C1Q `
° O
I
Pei<M 6'.1ME I
I
I
n R4�11]U PTI ptJ' '
O MIl (+
' \n OF MPSSP
NlT Y7,
u �
AEr
' p{>va� Ct\{Tb S[fl0. EYIST4 ST.V\Z \K
U� uC CY I4w1T��
pa0.c'A - O O lebo zF Da
[q 20 1��1Q ZJ
e1-z
rj
U A\T k l [iE Rn¢cA
6i0 Sf K
f'
U>\lT COUNT _P.�GTOQY' 2EY0y'=TION
S nul6¢a ':;�t129T Fi:00SL'F'L?N _
:]TsEPtiS 5`.TE SPLCM,Y,A
B TCT1L uN\TE S" 1'-p"'TAT r2T^rl
{..... H•IC.b6
$f RST M.L4vcl q'..o >esz.uwsDC
SL'L.>TPIAS.SAUHN_G:S:LK4ST•G
! � s
$ MAS
>��TM
OF 'A
G�
Oa
UUIT'S
LC 406 SF _
LN
goof
+{+t 8
j 11N1T M4 ER
11 TTn op !Q acH
44
26
K ee!
i3ECTORY.2EVC.YPTL:;N__.
3Csysfp�'s'.st;'£'SA'tLAI.M'6"'.
�\S,�E'AED ARCH
H W
b MASS
y
�M OF MP'5
G
uHiT•
c qeo sr
e-a
r
O Q
Fr•Ltb Sre�a Eris<� zna¢
LQ"
qN
a
loae zr J �
9R-1 Cie-z
'�'�'T^T'�=R.EEQPh'.CtaFl
--L��:aaz evss�
S�45Z.E'N=3 s'YE:Sei[.M,X.?
JJ/j `gIN ARCH/
r. 2M
� aC STOrv, ,
E.R�TH OF MPSS~G
�� "$ � ♦.' as Rx B "�' � "�,� y `ufA f "R� f(;�q rta+ r� 'x
ut( � eo y.aw .rye♦ xp '..Y; y9 ,� ; ; _ 5". *fi 9 flc�il iif '@$,,. .1
r . .,. VAM
Alto
qt r
i.R'Y'
a"•} �. fin.f R .,`
� t Y
,y �
�9,
9 kAt.d id 6 3d^k� 7. q F .6
r,
.... ......a�
d - S k �� )� ��--�`� V yQ)� Z4 •.1.
_._ � f. f 7b. [58� pp t •
sly 1
kk' �ytOt + •sten;'yS 1a,A U 1. -
Ig
( -
'% vl v
'NOT 4M
rvf as in. ♦ 1
NMI
SCHOOL BUILDING
• REHABILITATION
• 14 UNITS
LM
IV6R-1 - DE-Z OQ j1 i4005F 6rs 1
29
1
` sum'
f L� Q,a ti F 1_I
5UM5m¢ L Si��
HCH ElCV1toY
cowa.ooe 1
« F
p v
o
e7 u
-T807F f ISO sF
W
,uiJ;S c6up-1 Liflt7S:.-RF_1:1bV.[ST.(O{,t
.6 a.,s.az :Tr�C1S;fT3'�1_OL+R'Fld?:1'
14 LoYLti fae:ft3 -crsae^.e''et'�Ni�A'...
pCh/
��. 2663
2 2Q sos-,rn N
2
a.�Th OF MPSSpG
LA
ea-1
1430 Sr
Q4-2 IQ00SF
®R-1
1
_ A
F
0 a 0
� a
er:cin � Q n
NE,✓F1EynTo2
c.na:oon
:
1 B O � h B
I
UD
aq LQ B¢
78o SF alto w
TBofr e¢
SLHi22.eL"'&FUYpYRZl"9J1
.Sf:Zb9EP17T..y�(-Q-SEL£M.:MA' .
�ti.l+pl".:SESCf 2T31 baq.pq_',
\S.�EPED A#,y.
r�
E{9 25a3
B'OSbO;v, h
rAh' N
O /NA
SJ
F71Y OF MPSSPG
i
—O
lR ��
[430 Sr
cta-z ea-v 14m5F
ex-t
ff
7 K qu
mm� 'O �JI V O • O Q en:a
KEw
;o Rzioo2 \
TQ—r
7B0 SF S90 3F �/O
�dO Sf 6C
�T.1.gD2:_SFt�!Li1'I3�S.Ci.t�:"
.SEGOND.ELQ�2 P4'CgL-
. �FW4SEPli'S'91��_'yeL=M-MA'
< n
Gs. 2W
80 T
3 orv.
Mq-
O�
L
H OF 1na5SP
j
C
1A,
-3z
di
�.�Ysxemsw
aie,+�-
4i
01/30/07 M 11:39 FAX 978744591a PURCHASING DEPT "
CITY OF SALEMr MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD CIF'APPEAL
• 120 WAOmNaTON STREET. 304 FLOOR
` SALEM. MASSACHUSETTS 01970
TELEPHONE 978.745.9595
FAX:978,740-9846
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL }�
MAYOR
AGENDA
BOARD OF APPEAL MEITMG
January 17,2007-6:30 PAL
3RD FLOOR,ROOM 113 - 120 WASHINGTON STREET - ....
1. Discussion of Chapter 40B (COmptehenafve Peru Law)—Jerry Pldselh
2. Continuation of Petition of I-ewis Legon requmting a 3pettial Prmlit to allow existing
non-cmWming ofh9ees to be converted to Aix(6)tesidentiai amts fat the property
located at 48 BRIDGE STREW—R-2 DLSMCL
3. Continuation of Patition of Peter and Cheryl Bspn®ltaft a Vaimee from
maximum height of forces and bwnda ry walls to allow a sit(6)foot dockada fait.to At
be constructed on top of a newly constructed stony wall for the prgarty located at 28
MARLBOROUGH ROAD—R-1 DISl'R g.
4. COatinuadon of Petition of Nchael Viola requesting a Special Pam*to change the use
of am existing non-conforming strucWaa from a two(2)story commercial stzactare to a
three(3)awry residential structure with five(5)dwelling units.and Variances from the
maxi®deoaity and park*requirements for the property located at 17-1!SALEM
STREET—R-3 DISTRICT.
5. Petition of Richard Nass reg9nting a Spec:W Permit to construct an addition to a non-
conforming structure for the property located at 27-29 ALBION ST'RlW—R-1
DISTRICT.
6. Petition of Joseph Reither requesting Variances from lot size and lot width to allow a
structure to be relocated to the IOL Lot width is 45.5 feet instead of the regWred 10( feet
and lot size is 7,383 aq.fL instead of the required 15,000 sq ft The property Is located at
14 BU ILM STREET—R-2 DIhiITRICT.
7. Petition of National Grid Winless requesting Variances from tide and rear setback to
construct a free-standing strachue for the property at 134 CANAL STREW—I-
DISTRICT.
8. Old/New Busimas
a Adoption of 2007 Yearly schedule of meetings
9. Adjourmmnt
hi% notice pG8?5:3 n ,Cif+CY,j'• uMetln Board' Nina Cohan,Chair
sty Walt fAvy., .r_: r.t. Zoning Board of Appeals
L L1 a3 PAJ i':M
A 3 cZ1Q C1
CITY OF SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS
Kimbaiey Driscoll
Mayor
Jsnuary 17, 2007
Honorable Salem City Council
93 Washington Street
Salem,Massachusetts 01970
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council:
I am writing to update you with regard to correspondence recently received f rom the State
Division of Housing and Community Development, in connection with a pot enrial
Comprehensive Permit Application at the former St Joseph's Church site.
As you know, last year the Planning Office of Urban Affairs(POUA)receivtd local approval .
from both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board for a six story, 97 unit,mixed-
use development at the St.Joe's site. Unfommately,the permits were appeared and the litigation
has dragged on for a number of months, causing not only delays to construct on,but increases in
costs related to legal fees and debt service for POUA. As a result,POUA is :onsidering
alterative options to develop this site. One of these alternatives may consist of a
Comprehensive Permit Application to the ZBA,commonly referred to as a"40B ve Permfro pr ZBA for a
Essentially, a Comprehensiit allows a developer to obtain qg& dteria for review of
development project that includes a percentage of affordable housing. The
such projects is essentially the same as the site plan review process recently,mdatahen by our
local boards, however the appeal process for such projects is streamlined at the state level
I have had some very preliminary discussions with POUA regarding this process and the
proposed project I anticipate that further dialogue with representatives from POUA will take
place over the-course of the next week, following which I would expect to submit formal
correspondence regarding the status of this project to the City Council prior 10 your next-
meeting. I am writing to you today because members of the ZBA were informed of a potential
Comprehensive Permit Application and were briefed on the 40Bprooess by tx Assistant City
Solicitor at tonight's ZBA meeting. I know that this project is of interest to a number of you and
walled you to be aware of the most recent goings-on,as well as the fact that I expect to have
additional details to share with You shortly. I am scheduled for jury duty tomorrow,but hope to
be in the office at some point during the day. Please feel free to contact me with any further
questions or concerns related to this topic. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Kimberley Driscoll
Mayor
978-7404AEA p.1
1 U
CITY OF SALEM C 1 Y OF SALEM.. MA
�.
PLANNING BOARD CLERK'S OFFICE
Notice of Meeting en .JAB 25 P 4- 23 .
You are hereby notified that the Salem Planning Board will hold its mgukt meeting on Thumday,
February 1,2007, at 7:00 PM in Room 313,Third Floor at 120 WashWgtoa S meet.
Walter B.Power, r1l
Chairrma
I. Approval of Minutes
■ January 4,2007 n%eedv
2. Continuation of Public Hewing-Sire Plan Review and Wetlands ar d Mood fin rd
Disrucr
Joseph 6omeaSPcclal P==t- North River Canal,LLC -28 Goodhue Street(Map 16,1vt 372)
I Continuation of Public Bearing—Drive Through Fa
dlitiea S
Plan Review Special Permit-Tilcity Saks P�permit and she
(Map 8, Lots 99, 100 104 and 105 uY roti CVS -262-272 Highland Ave.
Joseph Coneati
0. Old/New Business
This notice costed cn 'Chicle, Bufletin Board'
CityH it Ave., L' 04m. ?Bass. on �„j . AS 8ioa
at T z.Z� Its accord-as-s:,-a %mvi chap 39 era 7
23A i 238 of M.Q.L.
20 W.ASHiHCTO�V STREET. SALEM, MABSACHUSCM 01970 • 7E.; 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404 . WWW...,6M.cow
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, SS. SUPERIOR COURT
CIVIL ACTION NO: ZO D 6 f 92c) C
WILLIAM DZIERZEK,ERIC EASLEY, JOHN GOFF, )
DOCTOR MIROSLAW KANTOROSINSKI,LINDA )
LOCKE,ANTHONY MIRABITO,LINDA MIRABITO, )
SOLANGE MARCHAND,JEAN MARTIN,NANCY A. )
MOORE, THOMAS STRUCKMAN,MARIA )
TRINDADE, RODRIGO TRINDADE,LAURENT )
OUELLETTE,ANA PANIAGUA, DIONICIA FLORIAN, )
ANTOINETTE C. SANCHEZ,JANE E. GAMMON, )
BRIAN TASHJIAN, CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT, ROBERT) y
BOZARJIAN,ELIZABETH BOZARJIAN,JULIAN o p
NENSHATI, DAVID T. RAMSEY, JEAN E. RAMSEY, ) V
SCOTT GALBER, T. ERIC BERUBE,DOMENICA ) Arno 0
INGEMI, STEPHEN C. INGEMI, ROBERSON D.
TRONCOSO, CLARIZA J. TRONCOSO, MARY C. ) `=' `J'
LESCH, GARY R. JENKINS, PATRICIA O'BRIEN, ) O ren
SHAWN M. O'BRIEN,RALPH BERRY,DOROTHY A. ) � w
FORTIN, JOHN J. PHELAN, ROSARIO BELTRE, ) w {
ORILLE L'HEUREUX, CONSTANCE SANFORD, and ) `s
JORDAN CASTRO, PLAINTIFFS )
V. )
SALEM LAFAYETTE DEVELOPMENT, LLC, and )
BONNIE BELAIR,BETH DEBSKI, ANNIE HARRIS, )
STEPHEN PINTO, ROBIN STEIN, RICHARD DIONNE, )
and NINA COHEN, CHAIRPERSON, BEING REGULAR)
and ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE ZONING BOARD)
OF APPEAL;OF THE CITY OF SALEM, )
MASSACHUSETTS, )
DEFENDANTS )
NOTICE OF APPEAL TO ESSEX SUPERIOR COURT FROM AUGUST 24, 2006 DECISION
OF SALEM BOARD OF APPEAL GRANTING TWO VARIANCES
CONCERNING 135 LAFAYETTE STREET SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
John H. Carr, Jr., attorney for the above-named Plaintiffs, hereby gives notice to the City Clerk
of the City of Salem, MA and to the Planning Board of the City of Salem, MA that said Plaintiffs
have appealed the August 24, 2006 Decision of the Salem Board of Appeal granting two
variances to Salem Lafayette Development, LLC concerning the former (so-called) St. Joseph's
property at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem, MA, one increasing the 45 foot maximum height
restriction to 65 feet, and the other increasing the 3 '/x maximum number of stories to 6 stories,
which Decision was filed with the office of the Salem City Clerk on September 5,2006.
n 4
A copy of the Complaint filed as Essex Superior Court Civil action no. on
September 22, 2006 is attached hereto.
William Dzierzek et al,
By their attorney,
September 22, 2006
John H. Carr, Jr., Esq.
9 North Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-825-0060
BBO#075281
-2 -
CIVIL ACTION Superior Court Department
COVER SHEET County: 7
DEFENDANTS) sp•g+n eTI+� 7I�1Q �i�
PLAINTIFF(S) _ — - -- __-__ _ `� y'}A '1'�' � z_�9
W%lf'I-, �Z 1'e-PZC f, d n1 n
ATTORNEY FIRM NAME,ADDRESS AND TELFEHONE ATTORNEY (if known)
q A)o
Board of Bar Overseers number:
Origin code and track designation
a an x in one box.only: El 4. F04 District Court Appeal c.231, S.97 &104 (After
1. F01 Original Complaint trial) (X)
❑ 2. F02 Removal to Sup.Ct.C.231,s.104 ❑ 5. F05 Reactivated after rescript; relief from
(Before trial) (F) judgment/Order (Mass.R.Civ.R 60) (X)
❑ 3Klollowing
F03 Retransfer to Sup.Ct. C.231,s.102C (X) ❑ 6. E10 Summary Process Appeal.(X)
TYPE OF ACTION AND TRACK DESIGNATION (Seereverse,side)
T;IF
ACTION (speci ) TRACK IS THIS A JURY CASE?
)Yes ( ) No
a emi ed and detailed s atement oft a facts on which plaintiff relies to determine
. is form, disregard double or treble damage claims; indicate single damages only.
TORT CLAIMS
(Attach additional sheets as necessary)
A. Documented medical expenses to date:
1. Total hospital expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $. . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Total Doctor expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Total chiropractic expenses, . . . . . . . . . . . . ' ' ' . . ' ' '
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. Total physical therapy expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Total other expenses • • . . • . . • • . • • • . . . . . . . . " " ' $ " " " " " "
P (describe) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Subtotal $. . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Documented lost wages and compensation to date $. . . . . . . . . '
C. Documented property damages to date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $. . . . . . . . . . . .
D. Reasonably anticipated future medical and hospital expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ . . . . . . . . . . . .
E. Reasonably anticipated lost wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ . . . . . . . . . . . .
F. Other documented items of damages (describe)
G. Brief description of plaintiff's injury, including nature and extent of injury (describe)
$. . . . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL $. . . . . . . . . . . .
CONTRACT CLAI
(Attach additional sheets a
Provide a.detailed description of claim(s): IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
FOR THE COUNTY OF ESSEX
SEP 2 2 2006
TOTAL $. . . . . . . . . . .
PLEASE IDENTIFY, BY CASE NUMBER, NAME AND COUNT , ENDING IN THE SUPERIOR
COURT DEPARTMENT CLERK
"1 hereby certify that I have complied with the requirements of Rule 5 of the Supreme Judicial Court Uniform Rules c
Dispute Resolution (SJC Rule 1:18 re uirin t I provide my clients with information about court-connected dispu
resolution services and discus e v tag and disadvantages of the various methods:"
Signature of Attorney of Re rd DATE
AOTC-6 mtc005-11/99
A.O.S.C.1-2000 _
CIVIL ACTION COVER SHEET
INSTRUCTIONS
SELECT CATEGORY THAT BEST DESCRIBES YOUR CASE
CONTRACT REAL PROPERTY MISCELLANEOUS
A01 Services,labor and materials (F) C01 Land taking(eminent domain) (F) E02 Appeal from administrative (X)
A02 Goods sold and delivered (F) CO2 Zoning Appeal,G.L.c.40A - (F) Agency G.L.c.30N
A03 Commercial Paper (F) CO3 Dispute concerning title (F) E03 Action against Commonwealth
A08 Sale or lease of real estate (F) C04 Foreclosure of mortgage (X) Municipality,G.L.c.258 (A)
Al2 Construction Dispute (A) C05 Condominium lien and charges (X) E05 All Arbitration (X)
A99 Other(Specify) (F) C99 Other(Specify) (F) E07 c.112,s.12S(Mary Moe) (X)
TORT E08 Appointment of Receiver (X)
B03 Motor Vehicle negligence- EQUITABLE REMEDIES -- E09 General contractor bond,
personal injury/property damage (F) D01 Specific performance of contract (A) G.L.c.149,s.29,29a (A)
B04 Other negligence-personal D02 Reach and Apply (F) Ell Workman's Compensation (X)
injury/property damage (F) D06 Contribution or Indemnification (F) E14 Chapter 123A Petition-SDP (X)
B05 Products Liability (A) D07 Imposition of Trust (A) E15 Abuse Petition,G.L.c.209A (X)
B06 Malpractice-medical (A) DOB Minority Stockholder's Suit (A) E16 Auto Surcharge Appeal (X)
B07 Malpractice-other(Specify) (A) D10 Accounting - (A) E17 Civil Rights Act,G.L.c.12,s.11H (A)
B08 Wrongful death,G.L.c.229,s2A (A) D12 Dissolution of Partnership (F) E18 Foreign Discovery proceeding (X)
B15 Defamation(Libel-Slander) (A) D13 Declaratory Judgment G.Lc.231A (A) E96 Prisoner Cases - (F)
B19 Asbestos (A) D99 Other(Specify) (F) E97 Prisoner Habeas Corpus (X)
B20 Personal Injury-Slip&Fall (F) E99 Other(Specify) (X)
B21 Environmental (A)
B22 Employment Discrimination (F)
B99 Other(Specify) (F)
TRANSFER YOUR SELECTION TO THE FACE SHEET.
EXAMPLE:
CODE NO. TYPE OF ACTION (SPECIFY) TRACK IS THIS A JURY CASE?
B03 Motor Vehicle Negligence-Personal Injury (l. 21 Yes ❑ No
SUPERIOR COURT RULE 29
DUTY OF THE PLAINTIFF.The plaintiff or his/her counsel shall set forth, on the face sheet (or attach additional sheets as
necessary), a statement specifying in full and itemized detail the facts upon which the plaintiff then relies as constituting money
damages.A copy of such civil action cover sheet, including the statement as to the damages, shall be served on the defendant
together with the complaint. If a statement of money damages, where appropriate is not filed, the Clerk-Magistrate shall transfer
the action as provided in Rule 29(5)(C).
DUTY OF THE DEFENDANT. Should the defendant believe the statement of damages filed by the plaintiff in any respect
inadequate,he or his counsel may file with the answer a statement specifying in reasonable detail the potential damages which
may result should the plaintiff prevail.Such statement, if any, shall be served with the answer.
A CIVIL ACTION COVER SHEET MUST BE FILED WITH EACH COMPLAINT, BUFF COLOR PAPER.
FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS COVER SHEET THOROUGHLY AND ACCURATELY
MAY RESULT IN DISMISSAL OF THIS ACTION.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, SS. SUPERIOR COURT
CIVIL ACTION NO: 2066.4020C
WILLIAM DZIERZEK,ERIC EASLEY,JOHN GOFF, )
DOCTOR MIROSLAW KANTOROSINSKI,LINDA )
LOCKE,ANTHONY MIRABITO,LINDA MIRABTfO, )
SOLANGE MARCHAND,JEAN MARTIN,NANCY A. )
MOORE,THOMAS STRUCKMAN,MARIA )
TRINDADE,RODRIGO TRINDADE,LAURENT )
OUELLETTE,ANA PANIAGUA,DIONICIA FLORIAN, )
ANTOINETTE C. SANCHEZ,JANE E. GAMMON, )
BRIAN TASHJIAN,CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT,ROBERT)
BOZ.ARJIAN,ELIZABETH BOZARJIAN, JULIAN )
NENSHATI,DAVID T. RAMSEY, JEAN E. RAMSEY, )
SCOTT GALBER,T.ERIC BERUBE,DOMENICA )
INGEMI, STEPHEN C. INGEMI,ROBERSON D. )
TRONCOSO,CLARIZA J. TRONCOSO,MARY C. )
LESCH,GARY R. JENKINS, PATRICIA O'BRIEN, )
SHAWN M. O'BRIEN,RALPH BERRY,DOROTHY A. )
FORTIN,JOHN J. PHELAN,ROSARIO BELTRE, )
ORILLE L'HEUREUX, CONSTANCE SANFORD,and ) < a
JORDAN CASTRO, PLAINTIFFS
V.
<F �� f
SALEM LAFAYETTE DEVELOPMENT,LLC,and ) %. a O rn
BONNIE BELAIR,BETH DEBSKI,ANNIE HARRIS, ) = w
STEPHEN PINTO,ROBIN STEIN,RICHARD DIONNE, ) w i
and NINA COHEN,CHAIRPERSON,BEING REGULAR)
and ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE ZONING BOARD)
OF APPEAL OF THE CITY OF SALEM, )
MASSACHUSETTS, )
DEFENDANTS )
COMPLAINT PURSUANT TO M.G.L.CHAP-TER.40A..SECTION 17
APPEALING AUGUST 24.2006 DECISION 21 TXW MUM
BOARD OF APPEAL 994NTING IM C,, JM&G 135
LAFAYETI E STREET,SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS
This is an appeal from a decision of the Zoning Board of Appeal of Salem,Massachusetts
(hereinafter"the ZBA"or"the Board'),dated August 24,2006 and filed with the Salem City
Clerk on September 5,2006, granting variancesfrom the,maximum height and maximum
number of story restrictions provided in the Salem Zoning Ordinance as they relate to the so-
called St.Joseph's property at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts(hereinafter"the
subject property"or"the St. Joseph's property)on the grounds that the ZBA's decision was
arbitrary,capricious,unreasonable,violated due process,exceeded the Board's authority,was
based on legally and factually untenable grounds,and was wrong as a matter of law.
A certified copy of said August 24,2006 Decision is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
PARTIES
1. Plaintiff,William Dzierzek,who resides at 146 Summer Street,Danvers,Massachusetts
01923,owns the real estate located at 157 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts, 10
Dow Stmt, Salem,Massachusetts,and 12 Dow Street,Salem,Massachusetts, all of
which abut the subject property,and 176 Lafayette Street, 182 Lafayette Street,and 7
Cedar Street,all in Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are all located in the
immediate neighborhood.
2. Plaintiff,Eric Easley,who resides at 145 Spoffird Road,Boxford, Massachusetts 01921,
owns the real estate located at 266 Washington Street, Salem,Massachusetts,65 Harbor
Street, Salem,Massachusetts, 73 Harbor Street, Salem,Massachusetts,and 38 Salem
Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
3. Plaintiff,John Goff,is a preservation architect and former Executive Director of Historic
Salem Inc.,who,together with his wife,owns and resides at 194 Lafayette Street, Salem
Massachusetts 01970, which property is also located in the immediate neighborhood.
4. Plaintiff,Dr. Miroslaw Kantorosinski,who resides at 8 Almeda Street,Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,is the owner of 5-5A Ropes Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which
abuts the subject property,and 8-10 Porter Street Court, Salem,Massachusetts,which is
located one block from the subject property,and is located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
5. Plaintiff,Linda Locke,who resides at 1 Pickering Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
owns 44-46 Dow Street, Salem,Massachusetts,7 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
and 13-15 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are all within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
6. Plaintiffs,Anthony Mirabito and Linda Mirabito,who reside at 8 Nichols Lane,
Middleton,Massachusetts 01949,own 16 Porter Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which
property is located within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
7. Plaintiff, Solange Marchand,owns and resides at 159 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is an abutter to an abutter of the subject property,
and is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
2
8. Plaintiff,Jean Martin,who resides at 24 Leavitt Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
owns(together with her husband)24 Leavitt Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which is
located in the immediate neighborhood,and solely owns 34 Park Street, Salem
Massachusetts,which is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
9. Plaintiffs,Nancy A. Moore and Thomas Struckman,who reside at 59 Lexington Street,
Woburn,Massachusetts 01801, own the real estate located at 39 Prince Street, Salem,
Massachusetts,which is also located in the immediate neighborhood.
10. Plaintiffs,Maria Trindade and Rodrigo Trindade,own and reside at 40-42 Dow Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of
the Salem ZBA.
11. Plaintiff,Laurent Ouellette,who resides at 18 Hershey Street, Salem, Massachusetts
01970,owns 1 Harbor Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which property is within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
12. Plaintiffs,Ana Paniagua and Dionicia Florian,own and reside at 16 Dow Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property abuts the subject property.
13. Plaintiff,Antoinette C. Sanchez,owns and resides at 20 Dow Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property abuts the subject property.
14. Plaintiff,Jane E.Gammon,owns and resides at unit 1, 160 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the
Salem ZBA.
15. Plaintiff,Brian Tashjian, owns and resides at 30 Park Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
16. Plaintiff,Christopher Knight,owns and resides at unit 2a, 56 Ward Street Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the
Salem ZBA.
17. Plaintiffs,Robert and Elizabeth Bozarjian,reside at 20 Clark Avenue, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,and own 9 Park Street, Salem,Massachusetts and 10-12 Park
Street, Salem Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
18, Plaintiff,Julian Nenshad,who resides at 34 Pitman Road, Swampscott,Massachusetts
01907,owns 3 Rope Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located
within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
19. Plaintiffs,David T.Ramsey and Jean E.Ramsey,who reside at 58 Gregory Island Road,
South Hamilton,Massachusetts 01982,own 12 Palmer Street,Salem,Massachusetts and
-3 -
15-17 Leavitt Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
20. Plaintiff, Scott Galber,who resides at unit 5,22 Winter Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
01970,owns 65 Harbor Street,69-71 Harbor Street,22-24 Prince Street, and 27 Salem
Street,all in Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot
notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
21. Plaintiff,T.Eric Berube,owns and resides at 191 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
22. Plaintiffs, Stephen C.Ingemi and Domenica Ingemi,own and reside at 7 Fairfield Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
23. Plaintiffs,Roberson D.Troncoso and Clariza J. Troncoso,own and reside at unit 4, 10
Porter Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located in the immediate
neighborhood.
24. Plaintiff,Mary C. Lesch,owns and resides at 15 Cedar Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
25. Plaintiff,Gary R.Jenkins,owns and resides at 5 Pond Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is locate,in the immediate neighborhood.
26. Plaintiffs, Shawn M. O'Brien and Patricia D. O'Brien,own and reside at 21 Cedar Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,and also own 23-25 Cedar Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
which properties are located in the immediate neighborhood.
27. Plaintiff,Ralph Berry,owns and resides at 3 Chase Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
28. Plaintiff,Dorothy A.Fortin,owns and resides at 2 Cherry Street,Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
29. Plaintiff,John J.Phelan,owns and resides at 3 Fairfield Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is lowtvi in the immediate neighborhood.
30. Plaintiff,Rosario Beltre,owns and resides at 15 Harrison Ave, Salem,Massachusetts,
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
31. Plaintiff,Orille L'Heureux,who resides at 22 Francis Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,owns 87 Congress Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which property is located in the
immediate neighborhood.
-4-
32. Plaintiff, Constance Sanford,owns and resides at 19 Park Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem
ZBA.
33. Plaintiff,Jordan Castro,who resides at 2 Station Road, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
owns 15 '/2 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which property is located within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
34. Defendant, Salem Lafayette Development, LLC (hereinafter"SLD"),is a non-profit
development corporation with headquarters at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970; is the owner of the former St.Joseph's property at 135 Lafayette
Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970;and is the recipient of the two August 24,2006
variances from the Salem ZBA herewith being appealed.
35. Defendant,Bonnie Belair(hereinafter"Ms. Belau"),whose mailing address is P.O.Box
685, Salem,Massachusetts 01970, is a regular member of the Salem ZBA who voted to
grant said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing. (This was the only address
available from the Salem ZBA.)
36. Defendant,Beth Debsid(hereinafter"Ms.DebsW),who resides at 43 Calumet Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is an alternate member of the Salem ZBA,who voted to
grant said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing.
37. Defendant,Annie Harris(hereinafter"Ms. Harris"),who resides at 28 Chestnut Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a regular member of the Salem ZBA,who voted to grant
said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing.
38. Defendant, Stephen Pinto(hereinafter"Mr. Pinto'),who resides at 55 Columbus Avenue,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a regular member of the Salem ZBA,who voted to grant
said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing.
39. Defendant,Robin Stent(hereinafter"Ms. Stein"),who resides at 141 Fort Avenue,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is an alternate member of the Salem ZBA,who voted to
grant said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing,and is the author of the August
24,2006 Decision
40. Defendant,Nina Cohen,who resides at 22 Chestnut Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
is the Chairperson of the Salem Board of Appeal. She did not participate in the August
23,2006 ZBA hearing,or the August 24,2006 ZBA Decision.
41. Defendant,Richard Dionne,who resides at 23 Gardner Street,Salem,Massachusetts
01970, is a regular member of the Salem ZBA. He did not participate in the August 23,
2006 ZBA hearing,or the August 24,2006 ZBA Decision.
42. All of the foregoing Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action,as all are substantially
aggrieved by the August 24,2006 Decision of the Salem ZBA granting said variances.
-5 -
JURISDICTION
43. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Section 17 of Chapter 40A of the
Massachusetts General Laws.
44. This case is timely,as it has been filed within twenty(20)days from September 5,2006,
which is when the ZBA's August 24,2006 Decision granting said variances was filed
with the Salem City Clerk.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
45. The St. Joseph's property consists of a parking lot and 4 buildings on approximately 2.6
acres of land at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts. The four buildings consist
of the former St.Joseph's church,the 3-story former rectory,the 3-story former St.
Joseph's school,and the 3-story former convent.
46. Said property is a basically rectangular parcel bounded by Lafayette Street to the west,
Harbor Street to the north, Salem Street to the east,and Dow Street to the south,and is
located in both the so-called Point and Lafayette Street neighborhoods.
47. Except for three 2 V2-story residential buildings fronting on the northerly side of Dow
Street at the southeast corner of the site,the St. Joseph's property comprises the entire
rectangular block formed by said streets.
48. At the southwest comer of said site is the confluence of Lafayette,Washington,and Dow
Streets,which 3-way intersection constitutes one of the most congested and dangerous
intersections in Salem.
49. All of the former St.Joseph's structures at the site were constructed prior to the
enactment of the current Salem Zoning Ordinance in 1965,and thus,all four buildings
represent prior non-conforming structures.
50. By far,the most architecturally significant building at the site is the former St. Joseph's
Church,which is an important example of the so-called International Style,a style of
modem architecture which is unique in Salem. As such,it makes an important
contribution to Salem's world-renowned stock of 17th, 18th,and 19th century architecture.
51. There is no question that the former St. Joseph's Church is eligible for inclusion in the
National Register of Historic Places maintained by the United States Department of the
Interior.
52. The former St.Joseph's school building and convent have no particular architectural
significance.
-6 -
53. The church,rectory, and convent have been vacant since the parish closed on or about
August 15,2004. The school has been vacant since it relocated to the St.James parish on
Federal Street beginning in August or September of 2004.
54. The entire St. Joseph's property is located in an R-3 Zoning District.
55. Pursuant to the existing R-3 zoning, a maximum of 33 residential units can be
constructed at the site as a matter of right,with new construction not to exceed 45 feet in
height and 3 '/z stories.
56. The overwhelming majority of the buildings on the surrounding Lafayette,Dow, Salem,
and Harbor Streets,as well as those on Washington Street opposite the Lafayette Street
side of the property(ie. across from the pocket park)are either 2 %2 or 3-story residential
dwellings.
57. The grade of the parking lot at the southern third of the site is already approximately 4
feet above the grade of the 3 '/x-story residential buildings fronting on Dow Street at the
southeast corner of the site.
58. In the Spring of 2005 the Archdiocese of Boston sold the entire St. Joseph's property to
the Planning Office of Urban Affairs(hereinafter"POUR'),a private non-profit
corporation,for$2,000,000.00,which thereupon created Salem Lafayette Development
Corporation, LLC(hereinafter"SLD')to develop the site.
59. The head of the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, serves in his individual
capacity as the chief executive officer of POUA.
60. On Thursday,July 27,2006,the Planning Board of the City of Salem opened the fust of
three public hearings on SLD's application for a Planned Unit Development(hereinafter
"PUD")to develop the St. Joseph's site primarily into 97 residential units,which
represents 64 units more than the 33 tttaximum number of units allowed by the current R-
3 zoning for that district.
61. The proposed project basically calls for the razing of the former convent and landmark
church,the development of the former rectory into 8 residential units,the conversion of
the former school into 14 residential units,and the construction of a new, 6-story, 65-foot
tall building immediately to the right(ie. south)of the rectory to contain 64 residential
units and an 18,000 square foot Community Life Center on the fust floor,which would
also double as a Senior Center.
62. Unlike the existing cruciform church,which was built with its narrow(i.e.40-foot wide)
wall perpendicular to Lafayette Street,the proposed new,65-foot,6-story structure is to
be built parallel to Lafayette Street, 160 feet in length,within a few feet of the existing
sidewalk.
- 7 -
63. Also unlike the existing cruciform church, all six floors of the new 65-foot structure will
be occupied 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year,which is a substantial
increase in use compared to the former St.Joseph's Church,whose single-story interior
space(albeit 63 feet tall)was primarily used only on Sunday mornings and holy days.
64. Of the 97 residential units, SLD indicated that"approximately"30 units will be rented,
and the balance of 67 units will be sold as condominiums.
65. A major component of SLD's PUD application was its promise to dedicate 45%of the 97
residential units,or 44 units,for"affordable housing",which was later scaled back to
351/o,or approximately 34 units,at the final Planning Board hearing on September 7,
2006.
66. On information and belief, said 34 units of affordable housing,whether rented or sold as
condominiums,will involve a discount of approximately 30%below prevailing market
rates,for which eligibility will be based on income limitations of the buyer or tenants.
67. Thus,in essence,SLD's PUD application seeks an approximate 194%increase in density
of 64 residential units over the 33 maximum number of residential units permitted by the
existing R-3 zoning for the entire site, in return for which 33 of the extra 64 units would
be sold or rented as affordable housing at a discount(in either event)of approximately
30%below prevailing market rates.
68. The balance of 31 units of the 64 units exceeding the current R-3 zoning would be sold at
market rates,in addition to the 33 residential units already permitted by the existing R-3
zoning,or altogether 64 units at market rates.
69. Said 194%increase in residential density above the 33 maximum number of residential
units does not even include the proposed 18,000 square foot Community Life Center,
which includes the so-called Senior Center.
70. The other major component of SLD's PUD application is the proposed 18,000 square
foot Community Life Center to be sold to the City of Salem. Although the purchase price
has yet to be finalized,the figure discussed at the three'Planning Board hearings was
approximately$5,000,000.00. ,
71. None of the several Salem City Councilors who attended the three Planning Board
hearings seethed to be aware of the details of said purchase;no one seemed to know how
the City(which is,and has been,under severe financial constraints)is going to afford the
purchase price;and no one could explain what would happen to the project if the City
couldn't afford to buy said 18,000 square feet of first floor space.
72. Also complicating this issue is the fact that a substantial majority of Salem's senior
citizens who currently use the existing Senior Center on Broad Street are vehement in
their opposition to relocating the existing Senior Center on Broad Street to the St.
Joseph's site.
- 8 -
73. A multi-page petition signed by approximately 300 Salem senior citizens opposing the
proposed new Senior Center at the St. Joseph's site was submitted at the third Planning
Board hearing on September 7, 2006,which opposition was re-affirmed in a heavily
publicized meeting conducted by Mayor Driscoll at the existing Broad Street Senior
Center a few weeks later.
74. Notwithstanding that approval of its PUD application will circumvent much of the
existing R-3 zoning for the district, SLD still needed two variances from the Salem ZBA,
one to increase the 45 foot maximum height restriction by 20 feet,to 65 feet,which
represents a 44.44%increase,and the other to increase the current maximum of 3 %2
stories to 6 stories,which represents a 58.33%increase.
75. On August 23,2006 the Salem ZBA voted to grant said variances,which is the subject of
this appeal. Alternate member,Robin Stein,who authored the August 24,2006 ZBA
Decision,and alternative member,Beth Debski,voted in place of Chairperson Nina
Cohen and regular member,Richard Dionne,who did not participate in the August 23,
2006 ZBA hearing or August 24, 2006 ZBA Decision.
76. On September 6, 2006 SLD requested a continuance of a vote of the Salem Historical
Commission on its petition for a waiver of the 6-month demolition delay ordinance when
it became clear that the Commission regarded St. Joseph's Church to be an extremely
significant building and would not waive the demolition delay ordinance if a vote were
then taken on its application.
77. On September 7,2006 the Salem Planning Board approved SLD's PUD application,
which was entered in the office of the Salem City Clerk at 5:27 p.m. on September 14,
2006. A copy of said decision is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
78. As to each of the following Counts,the Plaintiffs reaffirm,re-allege, and incorporate all
of the prior allegations contained in paragraphs 1-77 inclusive above.
ARGUMENT
COUNTI
The ZBA findings are generally insufficient to support said
August 24,2006 Decision granting said variances.
79. The August 24,2006 Decision lists 15 explicit findings of fact in [purported] support of
the two variances.
80. None of said findings are legally germane to the issues at hand,which relate to the basis
for the Board's decision to grant variances increasing the 45 foot maximum height
- 9-
restriction to 60 feet,which represents a 44.44%increase over the existing R-3 zoning,
and for increasing the 3 '/:maximum number of stories to 6-stories,which represents a
58.33%increase.
81. Most of the findings represent either self-serving conclusions without any specificity
whatsoever, or attest to the project's popularity with either the Mayor, some elected
officials,or certain groups within the local Salem population,all of which is hardly a
legal basis for granting said relief. Whatsoever its merits,popularity with some groups is
not a proper basis for granting variances.
82. The reason that no such specificity was cited is because, in point of fact,no such legally-
relevant evidence was introduced at the August 23, 2006 ZBA hearing in support of said
variances.
83. Findings 1,2, and 3 offer absolutely no guidance whatsoever as to the bases for said
variances.
84. Finding 12 recites that"Evidence was presented by the Petitioner regarding the hardship
resulting from the uniquely large size of the lot, 2.6 acres,compared to others in the
district...,"without specifying what said evidence was,how it related to the height or
number of stories issues,or why other solutions that might have been more compatible
with the existing R-3 zoning were not possible.
85. "The uniquely large size of the lot"alone is not a sufficient basis for said variances.
Indeed,one might reasonably conclude that such a large-sized lot offered more
opportunities for development compatible with the existing R-3 zoning,not less.
86. Finding 1 I recites that"The Petitioner presented all evidence pertaining to the history of
institutional use on the site and the history of the buildimgs on the site over the past 100
years,two of which buildings were taller than the proposed structure...,"which purported
information,even if true,is completely irrelevant to the issue of whether said variances
should be granted.
87. The proper issue before the ZBA was not what the area may have looked like at one
particular point in its history,especially if that occurred before the introduction of zoning,
but what the a ent conditions are, as well as the ur n zoning.
88. Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a copy of a colored lithograph of Lafayette Street
looking north toward the downtown of Salem that was drawn in 1852 from the vantage
point of Lafayette and Harbor Streets. Surely it is just as irrelevant for the petitioner to
argue that it should be entitled to a 6-story building because at some point in history there
was a taller building on the site as it would be for the opponents to argue that the 1852
neighborhood should be replicated.
89. Findings 4,5,6,7,and 8 all deal exclusively with the purported popularity of the project
with some groups within the Salem community,which certainly does not include the
- 10-
within appellants,who are all stakeholders in the neighborhood, and as such, are entitled
to rely on the protections afforded by the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
90. Finding 9 recites that"Community members speaking against the project were mainly
concerned with density and relocation of the existing senior center."
91. In point of fact,the within appellants and many more members of the Salem Community
are just as concerned about the issues of scale and height, as they are about density,if not
more so, since all three elements of the proposed new construction completely
overwhelm the surrounding immediate neighborhood-
92.
eighborhood92. The appellants are not alone in their concern over such issues. Historic Salem, Inc.,a
non-profit local preservation group(hereinafter"HSI"),and many others,have gone on
record citing the scale and height,as well as the density,of the project as maior problems.
Indeed,HSI has added the issues of scale and density throughout the downtown, and
surrounding areas,to its"10 Most Endangered List." Attached hereto as Exhibits D and
E are letters from HSI and Margaret Twohey to the Planning Board concerning said
issues,dated July 22,2006 and August 18,2006 respectively, copies of which were also
furnished to the ZBA prior to its August 23,2006 hearing.
93. Finding 14 recites simply that the project's mixed income housing and"the possibility of
a Community Life Center owned and operated by the City of Salem"create"special
circumstances which are not found on other lots in the district,"without(again)
specifically indicating what said special circumstances are,or how that relates to the
zoning issues before the Board,which involve increasing the relevant R-3 height and
3 1/2 story restrictions by 44.44%and 58.33%respectively.
94. Finding 15 simply recites the self-serving conclusionary statement,without explanation,
that"A hardship exists which MAms a height variance in order to provide the high level
of public benefit being proposed...,"citing the lone unsupported testimony of"a local
developer"that he would need to construct at least 8 stories to make the project work."
[Emphasis added]
95. Even apart from the issue that the alleged"high level of public benefits"are very much in
dispute,including by an overwhelming majority of Salem's senior citizens who use the
existing Senior Center on Broad Street,this is clearly an inadequate basis to support said
extreme increases of the existing R-3 zoning.
96. It is clear that there are no competent findings of fact in said August 24,2006 Decision
regarding hardship, special circumstances,or why such variances will not nullify the
public good,or derogate from the intent and purpose of Salem's R-3 zoning for that
district.
97. Apart from all other considerations,it is clear from the lack of competent,relevant
findings that the Board acted willfully and capriciously,and exceeded its authority,in
granting said variances.
- 11 -
98. For these reasons alone, said variances should be nullified and overturned.
COUNT H
There is no legally-recognized hardship at all, let alone hardship sufficient
to entitle SLD to either or both of said variances.
99. The only purported findings of fact with respect to hardship are the self-serving
conclusionary statements found in Findings 13 and 15.
100. Finding 13 recites simply that the hardship is"from the uniquely large size of the lot, 2.6
acres, compared to others in the district...,"and Finding 15 simply recites that"A
hardship exists which requires a height variance in order to provide the high level of
public benefit being proposed."
101. Note that in the first instance there is absolutely no explanation as to how and why"a
uniquely large"lot constitutes hardship. Indeed,the more compelling inference to be
drawn from that single fact,even if true, is that such a lot affords far more opportunities
for development compatible with the existing R-3 zoning,than less.
102. In essence,what the developer is arguing is that the existing R-3 zoning itself is the basis
for the hardship.
103. With respect to Finding 15,it should also be noted that the alleged hardship is
unexplained. The hardship"which [supposedly] requires a height variance"is accepted
as a given. [Emphasis added] Even though this is the findings section of the Decision,
said finding is,in fact,an unsupported conclusion.
104. It is clear that SLD had the burden of proving each of the primary elements needed to
justify the granting of said variances,especially variances which increase the existing R-3
height and number of stories restrictions by as much as 44.44%and 58.33%respectively.
105. It is axiomatic under Massachusetts law that hardship cannot be self-created.
106. In point of fact there was no evidence with respect to legally-recognized hardship
submitted at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing,or to be found in the August 24,2006
Decision.
107. SLD is presumed to know the R-3 zoning for the property,and presumably it took that
into account in negotiating its purchase price for the property.
108. If there were zoning issues that needed to be resolved,those should have been resolved
prior to consummating the purchase.
- 12 -
109. By having proceeded with the purchase, SLD's claimed hardship is entirely self-created
and does not constitute a basis for granting said variances.
110. By having granted said variances in part on said spurious claims of hardship,the ZBA
acted willfully and capriciously, and exceeded its authority.
111. For this reason alone said variances should be nullified and overturned.
COUNT III
There are no special conditions or circumstances which justify the
granting of said variances.
112. The only findings of fact with respect to"special conditions and circumstances"is found
in Finding 13,which recited the following in its entirety:
Evidence presented by the Petitioner
demonstrated special conditions and
circumstances exist surrounding the
history of use on this lot including
the fact that four structures presently
exist on the lot,the oldest two of
which will remain in the proposed
plan.
Emphasis added
113. It is patently clear on the face of said finding that the above does not constitute a special
condition and/or circumstance sufficient to grant a variance pursuant to Massachusetts
zoning law,and that if SLD's above definition were adopted, it would debase the
meaning of that term out of all practical legal significance.
114. In point of fact,the site in question is flat,has no topographical anomalies,and has been
previously built upon, as is explicitly recognized in the finding.
115. It is also important to note that the alleged specific"special conditions and
circumstances"have nothing to do with the physical characteristics of the site,but with
the alleged prior history of use of the site.
116. There is nothing about the prior use of the site that constitutes a special condition or
circumstance within the meaning of Massachusetts zoning law. The site contains four
buildings on 2.6 acres,much of it already clear. If there are costs to demolish the
buildings in order to make the development more compatible with the R-3 zoning,that
should have been reflected in the purchase price.
- 13 -
117. In point of fact there was no legally competent evidence introduced at the August 23,
2006 ZBA hearing on the issue of special conditions and circumstances,as finding 13
implicitly and explicitly makes clear,nor do such special conditions and/or circumstances
exist.
118. As such,the ZBA acted willfully and capriciously, and exceeded its authority, in granting
said variances.
119. For this reason alone, said variance should be nullified and overturned.
COUNT IV
Said variances constitute a substantial detriment to the public good.
120. There are absolutely no findings of fact in the August 24, 2006 ZBA Decision in support
of its formal Conclusion No. 1,found on the third page of said Decision,that"Me
Petitioner's request for variances to allow for a maximum height of approximately sixty-
five(65)feet and six(6)stories does not constitute a substantial detriment to the public
gam„
121. As above,this essential finding necessary for the granting of said variances(along with
the other necessary elements)is simply accepted as a given.
122. How the 6 stories totaling 65 feet will relate to the surrounding neighborhood,the
shadows that will be cast,the impact on traffic and city infrastructure,including impact
on the water and sewer system,the density of said stories,and other effects, are all
simply assumed not to be a detriment to the public good.
123. Enabling 33 owners or tenants out of a city of approximately 40,000 people to have a
33%discount on their rent,or the purchase price of their condominium,may be a
laudable goal,but it does not justify the obvious significant adverse effects that will be
caused to both the Point and Lafayette Street neighborhoods if such a monstrosity is
allowed to be built,especially if specific provisions of the Salem Zoning Ordinance
which are intended to prevent said adverse effects are ignored.
124. Clearly the scale of a neighborhood is a critical aspect of the integrity and vitality of that
neighborhood,and any variances granting increases in the height and maximum number
of stories by as much as 44.44%and 58.33%over the existing R-3 maximums should not
be granted without clear and convincing evidence that such action will not cause
substantial detriment to the public good,which evidence simply does not exist here.
125. In light of same, it is clear that the ZBA has acted willfully and capriciously in drawing
its formal Conclusion No.I that there will be no substantial detriment caused to the public
good,and thereby,has exceeded its authority in granting said variances.
- 14 -
126. For this reason alone,said variances should be nullified and overturned.
COUNT V
Said variances nullify and substantially derogate from the intent
and purpose of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
127. As with the preceding Count IV,there are absolutely no findings of fact in the August 24,
2006 ZBA Decision in support of its formai Conclusion No. 2, found on the third page of
said Decision,that"The requested relief does not nullify or substantially derogate from
the intent or purpose of the zoning ordinance."
128. The current maximum height restriction for new construction pursuant to the current R-3
zoning for the St. Joseph's property is 45 feet. SLD proposes constructing a new
building of 65 feet,20 feet over the R-3 maximum,which represents a 44.44%increase.
129. The current maximum number of stories for new construction pursuant to the current R-3
zoning is 3 '/z stories. SLD's proposed new building is 6 stories,2 %:stories over the
existing maximum,representing a 58.33%increase.
130. If such substantial percentage increases are of no consequence,what is the point of
having such restrictions in the fust place, or for that matter, what is the point of having a
zoning ordinance at all?
131. Exceptions(in this case called variances)are just that: exceptions,and then are only
supposed to be granted under tightly controlled circumstances, which do not exist here.
They are certainly not intended to be the rule.
132. The current rectory, school,and convent are all three stories,well within the 3 '/2 story
maximums pursuant to the current R-3 zoning. On information and belief,they also do
not exceed the R-3 height maximum of 45 feet.
133. And while it is true that St.Joseph's Church is approximately 63 feet tall,2 feet shorter
than SDL's proposed new 6-story building,there are the following important distinctions
which should be noted:
a. St. Joseph's Church is grandfathered as a prior non-conforming structure,since it
was erected in 1949,well before the enactment of Salem's Zoning Ordinance in
1965;
b. While there is 63 feet of exterior space,the interior space consists of a sin e-
9M of the same height,which is entirely ceremonial in nature;
- 15 -
C. The former use of that space primarily occurred at limited hours, generally only
on late Saturday afternoons, Sunday mornings,and Church holidays;
d. The church is a cruciform church, with its narrow(i.e. 40 feet wide)edge to
Lafayette Street,which thereby minimizes the impact of its height on said street;
e. As a symbolic and ceremonial building,the very epicenter(originally)of the
surrounding French Canadian Community that built the complex,the size and
height of the church have an obvious visual logic;
f. None of the foregoing apply to SDL's proposed new 6-story structure;
g. Clearly there is no such visual logic for height or massing in a 6-story
condominium building;
h. Instead of a single-story interior space that was primarily used only for
ceremonial purposes during a limited number of hours each week,the interior of
the proposed 65 foot tall building will consist of 6 floors, each of which will be in
constant use 24 hours a day,7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.
i. And instead of the thin side of the building being on Lafayette Street, SDL
intends to construct the long(i.e. 160 feet)side of the new, 6-story, 65-foot tall
structure directly on the sidewalk.
134. For all of the above reasons, any comparison between the former St. Joseph's Church
building,and the proposed new 60-story building, is glib, disingenuous, and intellectually
dishonest at best.
135. For all of the above reasons,and more,it is clear that the ZBA acted arbitrarily and
capriciously,and exceeded its authority, in granting said variances,which basically
amount to political decisions.
136. Because the proposed new 6-story structure does in fact nullify and substantially derogate
from the intent and purpose of the Salem Zoning Ordinance, said variances should be
nullified and overturned for this reason alone.
RELIEF SOUGHT
The Plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court:
a. enter a Judgment in their favor annulling in full the August 24,2006 Decision of the
Salem ZBA granting said variances;
- 16 -
b. award the Plaintiffs cost and reasonable attorneys fees in connection with their
prosecution of this appeal;
c. grant such other relief as is just and expedient.
Respectfully submitted,
William Dzierzek et al
By their attorney,
September 22,2006
John H. Carr,Jr.,Esq.
9 North Street
Salem,MA 01970
978-825-0060
BBO#075281
- 17 -
.r CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF APPEAL
120 WASHINGTON STREET. 3RD FLOOR
i SALEM. MASSACHUSETTS 01970
TELEPHONE: 978-745-9595 Vo
FAX: 978-740-9846 - -0 7r cn
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLLOC Cm r
r
MAYOR Un.
August 24, 2006 "y
0
g
Decision
Petition of Salem Lafayette Development, LLC requesting Variances from
Height and Number of Stories for the property located at 135 Lafayette
Street, R-3 District City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A public hearing on the above petition was opened on August 23, 2006 pursuant to Mass
General Law Ch. 40A, Sec. 11, the following Zoning Board members present: Robin
Stein, Annie Harris,Beth Debski, Stephen Pinto, Bonnie Belair.
The petitioner Salem Lafayette Development,LLC is requesting variances pursuant to
section 9-5 to allow for construction of a six-story residential building as part of,a
Planned Unit Development located at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem, in the Multi-Family
Residential (R-3) zoning district.
The petitioner is requesting variances from the forty-five (45) foot maximum height
requirement of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance (Sec 6-4, Table I) to approximately
sixty-five (65) feet, and from the three and one-half(3 '/2) stories maximum height
requirement to six (6) stories for the new construction of a multi-use building with
seventy-five (75)residential units and an approximately 18,000 sq.ft. Community Life
Center on the first floor.
The Board of Appeals, after careful consideration of the evidence presented at the public
hearing, and after thorough review of the Petition submitted, makes the following
findings of fact:
1. The property at 135 Lafayette Street is within the R-3 zoning district.
2. The Petitioner was represented by Attorney Joseph Correnti, 63 Federal
Street, Salem, MA.
3. A set of proposed plans were presented along with a rendering of the building.
The applicant stressed that the plans and rendering were preliminary and will
change. The site is the former home of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and
school, and includes a rectory and convent buildings.
4. Evidence was presented at the hearing that the Petitioner has met with the
abutting neighborhood associations, the Ward Councilors, City agencies, and
Historic Salem, Inc. on numerous occasions throughout the past year to
S
discuss the site and proposed plans. Meetings were also held over a period of
time with City officials, as well as the Planning Department. o
o C»
5. Mayor Kimberly Driscoll addressed the Board and spoke in favor of Rhe Mc
project, citing the City's detailed involvement with the development due tq the
proposed construction of a Community Life Center within the project anv'the Noy-
great need for mixed income housing and the community benefit, as welrPs a
City benefit that the Life Center provided. = m3
O D
6. A number of abutters and Salem residents, along with several members ohthe
City Council, were present to speak in favor of the project, including Ward 1
Councilor Lucy Corchado, Council President Jean Pelletier, and Councilor at
Large Joan Lovely. Councilor Mike Sosnowski cited the density of the site as
a concern, but generally spoke in favor of the affordable housing component
of the project. Councilor Matt Veno was unable to attend the meeting, but
submitted a letter supporting the project. 1
7. Councilor Corchado presented a petition with 140 signatures of neighbors that
support the proposed development. Michael Whelan and Claudia Chuber,
former Councilor of the Ward, spoke in favor of the project on behalf of the
Salem Harbor CDC.
8. A representative of the Point Neighborhood Association stated that the
Petitioner has met with them several times regarding the plans and that the
Association supports the project. The Association is involved in the
immediate neighborhood affected by the project.
9. Community members speaking against the project were mainly concerned
with density and the relocation of the existing senior center.
10. The Petitioner is presently before the Planning Board seeking a Planned Unit
Development Special Permit and Site Plan Review.
11. The Petitioner presented evidence pertaining to the history of institutional use
on the site and the history of height of the buildings on the site over the past
100 years,two of which were taller than the proposed structure.
12. Evidence was presented by the Petitioner regarding the hardship resulting
from the uniquely large size of the lot, 2.6 acres, compared to others in this
district.
13. Evidence presented by the Petitioner demonstrated special conditions and
circumstances exist surrounding the history of use on this lot, including the
fact that four structures presently exist on the lot, the oldest two of which will
remain in the proposed plan.
14. Testimony of the Mayor and various elected officials clearly demonstrated
that the proposed plan and building will offer community benefits, including
mixed income housing, and a Community Life Center owned and operated by
the City of Salem, creating special circumstances which are not found on
other lots in the district.
15. Evidence was presented in support of the requested variances indicatiniat a �T
certain minimum number of market rate units are necessary in order tos*port U Cr.
the 45 below market units proposed for the new structure, and that with6liLsix 01-7
stories; the lot could not be developed for residential use. A local developer A
testified that he would need to construct at least 8 stories to make the proje?t �
profitable. A hardship exists which requires a height variance in order to 3'
provide the high level of public benefit being proposed. The need for
affordable housing was stressed by the Mayor, City officials and various
citizens.
On the basis of the above findings of fact, including all evidence presented at the public
hearing, including, but not limited to, the Petition the Zoning Board of Appeals concludes
as follows:
1. The petitioner's request for variances to allow for a maximum height bf
approximately sixty-five (65) feet and six (6) stories does not constitute a
substantial detriment to the public good.
2. The requested relief does not nullify or substantially derogate from the intent
or purpose of the zoning ordinance.
3. The petitioner's lot size and coverage do not generally occur in the district and
are specific to their land.
4. A literal enforcement of the zoning ordinance would create a substantial
hardship to the petitioner.
5. In permitting such change, the Board of Appeals requires certain appropriate
conditions and safeguards as noted below.
In consideration of the above, the Salem Board of Appeals voted, five (5) in favor(Stein,
Pinto, Hams, Debski, Belair) and none (0) opposed, to grant the request for a variance,
subject to the following terms, conditions, and safeguards:
1. Petitioner shall comply with all city and state statutes, ordinances, codes and
regulations.
2. All requirements of the Salem Fire Department relative to smoke and fire
safety shall be strictly adhered to.
3. Petitioner shall obtain a building permit prior to beginning any construction.
4. Certificates of Occupancy are to be obtained.
5. Certificates of Inspection, as required, shall be obtained.
6. Petitioner shall obtain street numbering from the City of Salem Assessor's
Office and shall display said number so as to be visible from the street.
7. Petitioner is to obtain approval from any City Board or Commission having
jurisdiction including, but not limited to, the Planning Board.
8. The proposed new construction shall not exceed six stories or 65 feet in
height.
9. At least thirty-five percent (35%) of the dwelling units on the site shall be
marketed as affordable or below market rates. s
10. That the principal use of the first floor of the new building be a municipal use
to include a Community Life Center.
4
11. That the former rectory and school buildings existing on the site shall be
reused in the proposed project.
PJ z,
Robin Stein
Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A COPY OF THIS DECISION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE CITY
CLERK
Appeal from this decision,if any,shall be made pursuant to Section 17 of the Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 40A,and shall be filed within 20 days of filing of this decision in the office of the City Clerk.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A,Section 11,the Variance or Special Permit
granted herein shall not take effect until a copy of the decision bearing the certificate of the City clerk that
20 days have elapsed and no appeal has been filed,or that,if such appeal has been filed,that it has been
dismissed or denied and is recorded in the South Essex Registry of Deeds and indexed under the name of
the owner of record or is recorded and noted on the owner's Certificate of Title.
N
O
C� C-)-
cn r—._,.
rn m
�nUP
YATTEST z f
to
r-
a 411_�SAL
nr-
P pq phi _ T —
.O
D
P
Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision
135 Lafayette Street.
September 14, 2006
Salem Lafayette Development,LLC
C/o Joseph Correnti,Esq. M
fn �o
63 Federal Street
vii^
Salem, M ,A 01970 o
RE: 135 Lafayette Street/Former St. Joseph's Church site )
Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development ma
IV
On Thursday, July 27, 2006, the Planning Board of the City of Salem opened a Public,Hearing
under Sections 7-15 and 7-18 of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance, Planned Unit
Development Special Permit and Site Plan Review, at the request of Salem Lafayette
Development,LLC, for the property located at 135 Lafayette Street. The proposed project
includes the razing of the former church and convent building,the renovation of the former
rectory and school buildings, and the construction of a new six-story building on the site.The
mixed-use development will include 97 units of housing and a Community Life Center.
Approximately thirty (30) units shall be rental units, and the approximately sixty-seven (67)
remaining units shall be condominiums. At least thirty-five (35) percent of the dwelling units on
the site shall be designated as affordable units. Hereinafter the term "Applicant" shall refer to the
Applicant, its successors or assigns.
The Public Hearing was continued to August 3, 2006, September 7, 2006 and closed on
September 7, 2006. The Planning Board hereby finds that the proposed project meets the
provisions of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance,sec. 7-15 (g), as follows:
1) The proposed planned unit development is in harmony with the purpose and intent of this
ordinance and the master plan of the City of Salem and that it will promote the purpose of
this section.
2) The mixture of uses in the planned unit development is determined to be sufficiently
advantageous to render it appropriate to depart from the normal requirements of the
district. Specifically, the project incorporates a Community Life Center, as requested by
the City, and mixed income affordable housing providing substantial public benefit.
3) The planned unit development would not result in a net negative environmental impact.
Based on the information from the Environmental Impact Statement and plans, the
project will result in an increase in public recreational space,a decrease in peak
stormwater discharge rates and will improve the vacant site significantly from its current
condition.
At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board held on September 7, 2006, the Planning
Board voted by a vote of nine (9) in favor(Power, Moustakis, Collins, Kavanagh,Durand, Puleo,
Lombardini, Sullivan,Reidy), and none (0)opposed to approve the Site Plan Review and
Planned Unit Development application subject to the following conditions:
1. Conformance with the Plan
Work shall conform to the plans entitled, "St. Joseph's Redevelopment, Salem,
Massachusetts" Sheets C-1.1, 2.1, 3.1,4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 and, prepared by Samiotes
Consultants,Inc., 10 Central Street,Framingham, MA 01701,dated June 14, 2005 with
revisions on July 17, 2006 and elevations submitted to the Planning Board at the September
7, 2006 meeting ("the site plans"). Revised Plans reflecting all conditions and incorporating
by reference this decision must be submitted to and approved by the City Planner for
consistency with this decision prior to the issuance of a building permit.
2. Amendments
Any amendments to the site plan shall be reviewed by the City Planner and if deemed
necessary by the City Planner, shall be brought to the Planning Board for review and
approval. Any waiver of conditions contained within shall require the approval of the
Planning Board.
3. Construction Practices
All construction shall be carried out in accordance with the following conditions:
a. Exterior construction work shall not be conducted between the hours of 5:00 PM and
8:00 AM the following day on weekdays and Saturdays or at any time on Sundays or
Holidays. Any interior work conducted during these times will not involve heavy machinery
which could generate disturbing noises.
b. All reasonable action shall be taken to minimize the negative effects of construction on
abutters. Advance notice shall be provided to all abutters in writing at least 72 hours prior to
commencement of construction of the project.
c. Drilling and blasting shall be limited to Monday-Friday between 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
There shall be no drilling or blasting on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. Blasting shall be
undertaken in accordance with all local and state regulations.
d. All construction vehicles shall be cleaned prior to leaving the site so that they do not
lee dirt and/or debris on surrounding roadways as they leave the site.
e. All construction shall be performed in accordance with the Rules and Reg
leave ulations of the
Planning Board, and in accordance with any and all rules, regulations and ordinances of the
2
City of Salem.
f. All construction vehicles left overnight at the site, must be located completely on the site.
g. A Construction Management Plan and Construction Schedule shall be submitted by the
Applicant prior to the issuance of a building permit. Included in this plan, but not limited
to, shall be information regarding how the construction equipment will be stored, a
description of the construction staging area and its location in relation to the site, and
where the construction employees will park their vehicles. The plan and schedule shall be
submitted and approved by the City Planner prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
All storage of materials and equipment will be on site.
h. Special attention shall be paid by the developer to locate the statue of St. Joseph reported
to be buried on the site. If said statue is located,the Applicant shall work with the
Archdiocese of Boston to resolve its status, and if feasible, as determined by the City
Planner based on documentation from the Applicant to preserve it in accordance with the
requirements of the Archdiocese.
4. Clerk of the Works
A Clerk of the Works shall be provided by the City, at the expense of the Applicant, its
successors or assigns, as is deemed necessary by the City Planner. `
5. Traffic Mitigation
The Applicant agrees to contribute $20,000 toward a study/design of intersection and traffic
improvements at Lafayette Street. Such payment shall be made to the City upon the
Applicant's receipt of a building permit for the construction of the new building proposed for
the site.
6. Fire Department
All work shall comply with the requirements of the Salem Fire Department prior to the
issuance of any building permits.
7. Building Inspector
All work shall comply with the requirements of the Salem Building Inspector.
8. Zoning Board of Appeals
The terms of the Zoning Board of Appeals conditional approval for a height variance for the
site are incorporated into this decision, in their entirety.
9. Board of Health
a. The individual presenting the plan to the Board of Health must notify the Health Agent of
the name, address, and telephone number of the project (site) manager who will be on site
and directly responsible for the construction of the project.
b. If a DEP tracking number is issued for the site under the Massachusetts Contingency
Plan, no structure shall be constructed until the Licensed Site Professional responsible for
3
the site certifies that soil and ground water for the entire site meets the DEP standards for
the proposed use.
c. The developer shall adhere to the drainage plan as approved by the City Engineer.
d. The developer shall employ a licensed pesticide applicator to exterminate the area prior
to construction,demolition, and/or blasting and shall send a copy of the exterminator's
invoice to the Health Agent
e. The developer shall maintain the area free from rodents throughout construction.
f. The developer shall submit to the Health Agent a written plan for dust control and street
sweeping which will occur during construction.
g. The developer shall submit to the Health Agent a written plan for containment and
removal of debris, vegetative waste, and unacceptable excavation material generated
during demolition and/or construction.
h. The Fire Department must approve the plan regarding access for fire fighting.
i. Noise levels from the resultant establishment(s)generated by operations, including but
not limited to refrigeration and heating, shall not increase the broadband sound level by
more than 10 dB(A) above the ambient levels measured at the property line.
j. The developer shall disclose in writing to the Health Agent the origin of any fill material
needed for the project.
k. If a rock crusher is on site, a plan for placement of the crusher must be approved by the
Health Agent prior to placement and use.
1. Plans for food a establishment must be presented to the Health Agent and approved prior
to construction.
in. The resultant establishment(s) shall dispose of all waste materials resulting from its
operations in an environmentally sound manner as described to the Board of Health.
n. The developer shall notify the Health Agent when the project is complete for final
inspection and confirmation that above conditions have been met.
10. Utilities
a. Utility installation shall be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer prior to the
issuance of a Building Permit. All on site electrical utilities shall be located underground.
b. The Applicant shall clean the drain line on Dow Street downstream from the work site to
Salem St. preventing any debris from entering the downstream pipes.
4
11. Department of Public Services
The Applicant shall comply with all requirements of the Department of Public Services
12. Signage
Proposed signage shall be reviewed and approved by the City Planner and the Sign Review
Committee.
13. Lighting
a. No light shall cast a glare onto adjacent parcels or adjacent rights of way.
b. A final lighting plan shall be submitted to the City Planner for review and approval prior to
the issuance of a building permit.
c. After installation, lighting shall be reviewed and approved by the City Planner, prior to the
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
14. HVAC
If an HVAC unit is located on the roof or site, it shall be visually screened. The method for
screening the unit shall be submitted to the City Planner for review and approval prior to
installation.
15. Lafayette Park
The Applicant its successors and assigns (if not defined in paragraph one) agrees to
contribute$1,500.00 per year to the City of Salem for the purpose of creating a fund for the
ongoing maintenance and upkeep of Lafayette Park. Such payment shall be made to the
Department of Planning and Community Development commencing upon the receipt of a
building permit for the construction of the new building proposed for the site and on June I
of each year thereafter.
16. Landscaping
a. All landscaping shall be done in accordance with the approved set of plans, with the
following revision: the Applicant shall locate columnar trees along the perimeter of the
site where they believe they are most appropriate and shall submit a revised landscaping
plan reflecting this placement to the City Planner for review and approval, prior to the
issuance of a building permit.
b. Trees shall be a minimum diameter of 3 '/z" dbh (diameter breast height).
c. Maintenance of landscape vegetation shall be the responsibility of the Applicant, his
successors or assigns.
d. Any street trees removed as a result of construction shall be replaced. The location of any
replacement trees shall be approved by the City Planner prior to replanting.
5
e. Final completed landscaping,done in accordance with the approved set of plans, shall be
subject to approval by the City Planner prior, for consistency with such plans,to the
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
f. Fencing shall be installed along the property line on Salem Street and directly abutting the
residences on Dow Street. The section of fencing along Salem Street shall be a four-foot
black industrial grade aluminum. The section of fencing along the residences along Dow
Street shall be wooden.Details and specifications for the fencing shall be submitted to the
City Planner for review and approval prior to the issuance of any building permits.
17. Maintenance
a. Refuse removal, ground maintenance and snow removal shall be the responsibility of the
Applicant,his successors or assigns.
b. Winter snow in excess of snow storage areas on the site shall be removed off site.
c. Maintenance of all landscaping shall be the responsibility of the Applicant. The Applicant,
his successors or assigns, shall guarantee all trees and shrubs for a two- (2) year period,from
issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy and completion of planting.
18. As-built Plans
As-built Plans, stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer, shall be submitted to the
Department of Planning and Community Development and Department of Public Services
prior to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
The As-Built plans shall be submitted to the City Engineer in electronic file format suitable
for the City's use and approved by the City Engineer, prior to the issuance of Certificates of
Occupancy.
A completed tie card, a blank copy (available at the Engineering Department) and a
certification signed and stamped by the design engineer, stating that the work was completed
in substantial compliance with the design drawing must be submitted to the City Engineer
prior to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy; as well as, any subsequent requirements
by the City Engineer.
19. Building Materials
Illustrations of exterior building materials shall be submitted to the City Planer for approval
prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
20. Violations
Violations of any condition contained herein shall result in revocation of this permit by the
Planning Board, unless the violation of such condition is waived by a majority vote of the
Planning Board.
I hereby certify that a copy of this decision and plans has been filed with the City Clerk and
copies are on file with the Planning Board. The Special Permit shall not take effect until a copy
6
of this decision bearing the certification of the City Clerk that twenty(20) days have elapsed and
no appeal has been filed or that if such appeal has been filed, and it has been dismissed or
denied, is recorded in the Essex South Registry of Deeds and is indexed under the name of the
owner of record is recorded on the owner's Certificate of Title. The owner or applicant, his
successors or assigns, shall pay the fee for recording or registering.
Walter B Power, III
Chairman
7
Part 1 The City Sea Trade Built
y
� d5 {�,'i� $ {5 �.yy �1.✓y :� ��y, d r � i j, tri'^►ayC[ '�e^?�'1+. a �., tl s+' 1°r�. Y. "y 4Yk�wR
JY .1- M " '�. i•.31;.� 4� +er1' _v.�' W � '�9.ey 4e ., l: " '�'^— .in--- r fi•�
,r,P 1�. t • j > � r yX1. .s ir,�,'p✓._yY y'"�8,`.ar_i '7'�
�Y� a I t�.rn`+..a � X� R :.ti�"1 .? to n,+ �54 � xy�ns• F�3
lalgw.n" '«x ,�'.^`+ ' �• :._.. ��\ t res
� �1 - 4 �„ ti �m � i tRff�( Qa ,z. — � n yy•rq ni '
_ .d,�`� .�.. �{' :��° �• �� t�q� �a11i �.�'�1 .�" •�� GP �g9j.plA� tY �� � �'` "�� ��1 n�
�"';3q d O♦ TJ+� � d 1 , -' �p�'. p, r . AA � ,0 a n�„ 1[p b ' ,C�
p tr�16 tl� ;, ti ex ri, Wei}�
+ X�
VX6,3
_
, � �q 4d'r .f�Y ' a w. *1 �� S ��if/%n ..:I l y ++ltl � � [ ��v4 �'It�� 1���°��• - � � PtN
it s;}� � , t, y1si i e.
k�� •A,�'a_ t f.,. ,� �. "e, ._' � ,ice -. [��, a� �� .. ` 9 y f�,se ' f
i�a� � �� � �� � `�+ _ ...',�, ��.�4�� '.; , �^ 1�I t � n 1111 1� � ♦s ... � �'fill
1
1111111! in Yt
��! rr ,s�� ✓'. . / ,,.r �' �. ` 'l1 �` `� i[0 f II IIA®A' �' }siy".'"'
� S } -rtc c q� , rl �`'�n i� ��'• � t���'''''' •-• � .°�'+"'*�
l [
, ��„�^.=` a�' � l�i��il�iYM ,Ijjijlltjgit
rc
r
f
EAU D
Ya Oso
a st a
is it
P.O. Box 865
incorporated Salem, M 01970
Telephone: (978) 745-0799
July 26, 2006 BY HAND
Mr.Walter Power -
Chairman,Planning Board
City of Salem
Salem,MA 01970
Dear Mr. Chairman and members of the Planning Board:
This letter presents the issues that Historic Salem has identified to date with regard to the planet!
development at the St.Joseph's Church site.
Historical Significance
The St.Joseph's complex is important because of its association with Salem's cultural and religio0s
history. The church building is also the only Salem example of what is known as the"International Style"
and its interior is one of the few remaining monumental spaces in non-religious use in Salem. The report
commissioned by the City of Salem's Planning Department states that the site is probably eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places because of the significance of the church and the
Rectory. Subsequently, the Massachusetts Historic Commission commissioned a study by a qualified
professional preservation consultant who also asserts that the complex is eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places. Thus, the statement in the submission to the Planning Board that"The
proposed development does not include any historic buildings,historic site or archeological site"is
incorrect.
In addition,others in the community have noted that the site may have has archeological artifacts of
historical interest and/or importance.
Economics of Re-Use
As an historic preservation organization,Historic Salem strongly prefers to see the church building reused.
The developer, the Archdiocese's Planning Office of Urban Affairs(POUA)has provided us with some of
their analysis about the feasibility of reuse,but it is not enough,information for us to determine that it is
economically infeasible to incorporate elements of their planned program into the church building.
Opportunity to Significantly Improve Site Design and Building Fabric
We believe that in light of the site's location on a pivotal gateway to the City, the potential demolition of a
National Register eligible building, and the proximity to the Point neighborhood,currently the subject of an
historic buildings survey, that the community should require that any new construction to be of excellent
design and quality.
As to the issue of integrating new development into the existing historic urban fabric, and specifically as to
the current proposal, while we are pleased to see the rectory building being reused, we find that the
proposed design for the site could be substantially improved. What is proposed is essentially one large
Fax: (978) 744-4536 • Email: hsi@nii.net • Web: http://www.historicsalem.org/
building with the remainder of the site taken up by parking to the very edge of the property. It is also not in -
scale with the Point neighborhood which surrounds it on three sides.
Recommendations
• Design
We have suggested in several meetings with POUA that they reduce the height of the new building
proposed to be built on the site and put smaller scale buildings around the edge of the site,perhaps
townhouses. Lower rise buildings around the edge of the site would relate more to the immediate
neighborhood and provide a visual shield for the large area of parking which will be primarily viewed from
the Point neighborhood. We are also concerned with the precedent set by increasing the height of buildings
beyond that allowed by zoning,particularly if such an increase is not offset by the highest level of urban
contextual design.
• Design Review
Salem is faced with numerous challenges of how to handle proposed large complexes in our historic
downtown,including the recently proposed development of the Salem Marketplace. These require that a
great deal of thought and consideration be given to urban design issues.
In response to these challenges,Historic Salem recently added as Potentially Endangered the sense of scale
in Downtown Salem. We appreciate the amount of effort that POUA has invested in addressing other
community needs, including in particular affordable housing and community space. However,wo feel that
the urban design issues of this site has not been adequately addressed and certainly deserves the same
attention as the City is providing for other very large sites with such a significant impact on a neighborhood
and on Salem's downtown.
We urge the Planning Board to consider requiring modifications in the site and building design to be more
complementary to the existing urban fabric. Historic Salem would be happy to work with the developer to
make more specific recommendations for the project. We also recommend that the Planning Board
consider seeking the counsel of the Design Review Board to the design of the site and building fabric.
Sincerely, r A
14i
Barbara A.Cl�`y
President
Mayor Kimberly Driscoll
Lynn Duncan, City Planner
Councillor Lucy Corchado
Council President Jean Pelletier
onna Vinson, Vice President,HSI
Kimberly Alexander,Vice President, HSI
EY L4
August 18,2006
Mr. Walter Power Ms.Nina Cohen
Chair, Planning Board Chair,Zoning Board of AppeOls
City of Salem City of Salem
Salem, MA 01970 Salem,MA 01970
Re: Proposed Development at St.Joseph's Site
Dear Chairmen Power and Cohen:
I will not be able to attend the upcoming meetings on the proposal for the St. Joseph's site,but wanted to convey
my thoughts to you and to your fellow board members. The proposal is complex enough and the issues broad
enough that I have taken the liberty of writing one letter,even though some issues or concerns pertain only to one
Board's jurisdiction.
Like others,I congratulate the developers and the City on the concepts that they have brought forward, and on the
several buildings on the site that they propose for re-use. However,I believe there are significant issues of scale
and unresolved questions around the proposed development at this site that make your jobs very;
difficult.
Like others,I also support the goals of more affordable housing for Salem and believe that that the community
center idea is promising. However,I do not believe that the Planning Board has the information needed to be able
to act on the community center proposal since users,uses,hours, and parking are not sufficiently defined.
Similarly, site parking and area traffic problems have been identified with no clear solution, and there is no clear
presentation of how the City will fund the community center. I believe that you are being asked to make
decisions with too little information to be able to review,refine and approve a project that both meets the laudable
goals ofjhe project and is an excellent project for Salem.
I urge both the Planning Board and the ZBA to work with the Planning Department to take the time you need to
ensure that the project is the best that we can do for Salem. Whatever decisions are made here will be here for 50
years and will have a major impact on the Point,South Salem and on the downtown. Further,the proposal calls
for demolition of a significant Salem landmark.
At 2.4-2.6 acres and with its prominent location at the intersection of Salem's downtown, the Point and South
Salem, I believe this site deserves the same consideration that has been given to the Market Place proposal.
Having a unified review of the project in the same fashion as the Market Place proposal would seem particularly
helpful. Instead, the current piece meal approach brings separate but related issues before each of Salem's boards
in an effort to move the permitting process forward too quickly.
St.Joseph's Church
I believe that St. Joseph's Church should be re-used. I urge the Planning Board to take a much stronger look at
this issue. Every time we have taken down a major landmark, like the Salem train station, we have deeply
regretted it later. The church building proposed for destruction is National Register eligible and adjoins the
National Register eligible Point Neighborhood. It requires a 106 review. A waiver for demolition delay is before
the Historical Commission. I urge you to communicate with the Historical Commission to ensure that all the
steps recommended by Historic Salem are taken before you take any action which will result in demolition of the
church or that might nullify a 106 review process which will benefit the City and the project. The proposed
replacement proposed, while brick, looks like many another building found anywhere in the US and provides no
distinction or reflection of Salem's character while adding a mass which is out of scale with the neighborhood.
1
Density/Height
These are critical issues for both the Planning and the Zoning Boards to address.
In this R-3 neighborhood,under current zoning, only approximately 30 units are allowed. The proposal for this
site is 97 units, which is far too dense. The result is:
• A tall and massive new building that is out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood and will be highly
visible throughout downtown Salem,dominating Salem's sky line to our detriment;
• An enormous parking field which faces the Point neighborhood and appears to be quite inadequate for its
intended uses;
• No green space for the 60 children expected by the developer in the housing units;
• Design issues of appearance,character, material and looming, out of scale character on the street; and
• Significant traffic issues.
Both the building and the intended density are out of scale for the surrounding neighborhood:
• I recommend that, should the Planning Board decide to grant a PUD,you approve no more than 60 units.
• I also recommend that the Zoning Board of Appeals approve a height of the proposed new building of no
more than 3 stories.
These decisions will allow the scale of the new building and its height to be more compatible with the
neighborhood-and will not create an unwanted precedent in the neighborhood of six story buildings. Such a
reduction in density and height should also allow for green space,more appropriate parking for the housing and
community center,less traffic impact and a building design more in keeping with Salem. s
I hope the Planning Board will take HSI's recommendation that townhouses be placed around the perimeter of the
site on the neighborhood side to reduce the size of the new large building,to shield the neighborhood from the
parking field, and so that the scale of the development facing the Point is more in keeping with the houses around
it.
I believe that there is no basis for the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant a variance for height at this site since
there is no hardship as defined by the ordinance. Further,granting a variance creates a dangerous precedent for
South Salem and the Point.
Site Plan and Design
In addition to the issues already mentioned above,the building design could be Anywhere USA. It looks like
Watertown, not Salem. I hope the Planning Board will seek the counsel of the Design Review Board(DRB)for
the site plan and particularly the design of the proposed new building, as well as for specification of building
materials.
The parking plan is unrealistic and will have a very negative effect on the Point and on traffic into Salem from
Lafayette Street. It will also have a negative impact on the desirability and usability of the community center for
all of Salem. No traffic studies have been presented to date.
Materials
It is important, if either or both of the Boards act in the affirmative,that each Board specify building materials of
high quality and in some detail so that no one is surprised by the resulting quality of the new building. This is
particularly important given the height and prominence of the site itself and of the new building at the
intersection of Salem's downtown, the Point and South Salem neighborhoods.
2
Questions regarding the PUD and Conditions for both the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
Given the uncertainty regarding financing for the community center,I question whether it is appropriate to grant a
PUD at this time, since a PUD would not be allowed solely for the housing proposal.
Since the basis for allowing a PUD is mixed use,I urge the Planning Board to make the granting of a PUD
conditional on securing financing for both the developer's project and the City's community center,as well as
City Council approval, and to place whatever other restrictions might be appropriate so that the site is not
permitted and then"flipped" in the event the project or the community center are not funded.
I urge the Zoning Board to put similar conditions on any approval you may grant. I am especially concerned that
if a 6 story building is allowed on this site,it will establish an unwanted precedent which will be destructive of the
fabric of the area and neighborhoods that adjoin this site.
Summary
This is a very difficult project for the Planning and Zoning Boards to act on given the unresolved issues. I hope
you will take your time and consider ways in which this project can be improved before any approvals are
granted. Unresolved issues identified to date include:
• Re-use of the St. Joseph's building in the new project
• Destruction of a Salem landmark;ensuring a timely 106 review for St.Joseph's Church
• Mitigation for loss of this historic property, should it be lost
• Height and density
• Inadequate parking
• Traffic issues with no plan to resolve those concerns
• Green space on the site for the residents and their children
• Mass and quality of design and materials to ensure they are compatible with Salem and the surrounding area
and neighborhood.
• Impact of a project of this magnitude on Salem in such a prominent, geographically high and crucial location
in Salem
I hope that you can find a way to give the same kind of thought and review to this large project that has been
given to the Market Place project before it even has come before Salem's boards. Certainly I hope you will draw
on the principals established in the Market Place study for design. In addition to seeking DRB review,the
Planning Board may wish to consider hiring a consultant, as the City did for the Market Place proposal,to assist
you in your review process. There is a great opportunity here to do a project that will benefit Salem—and an
equal opportunity to allow one that will instead be damaging for years to come.
Sincerely,
Meg Twohey.. Cc:
122 Federal Street Mayor Kimberly Driscoll
Salem, MA 01970 City Planner Lynn Duncan
Salem City Councillors
Chair,Salem Historical Commission
President, Historic Salem,Inc.
3
John H. Carr,Jr., Esq.
9 North Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-825-0060
Fax: 978-825-0068
By Hand October 2, 2006
Civil Clerk
Essex Superior Court
34 Federal Street
Salem, MA 01970
n
Re: William Dzierzek et al vs. Q1�
Salem Lafayette Development, LLC et al ` o
- c
Dear Sir or Madam: [ rn 0
a:rn w
DN �
Enclosed for filing in the above-captioned matter please find: mf
m
1. Complaint Pursuant To M.G.L., Chapter 40A, Section 17A, ppealWg The
September 14, 2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Devel4ment T&cision
Of The Salem Planning Board concerning 135 Lafayette Street, Salem
Massachusetts;
2. A check in the amount of$355.00 to cover the $275.00 filing fee, and the
$8.00 fee for an original Summons for each of the 10 Defendants.
Would you kindly acknowledge your receipt of the foregoing by date-stamping the
enclosed copy of this letter and returning same with our messenger.
If you have any questions,please do not hesitate to let me know immediately.
Thank you in advance for your attention to the foregoing.
Very truly yours,
John H. Carr, Jr.
Enc.
cc Plaintiffs /
Thomas St. Pierre, Salem Building Inspector—By Hand t/
Lynn Duncan,Director of Planning and Community Development—By Hand
Clerk, Salem Planning Board—By Hand
Clerk, Salem Zoning Board of Appeal—By Hand
Joseph C. Correnti,Esq.—By Hand
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, SS. SUPERIORCORT
CIVIL ACTION NO:
WILLIAM DZIERZEK,ERIC EASLEY,JOHN GOFF, )
DOCTOR MIROSLAW KANTOROSINSKI,LINDA )
LOCKE,ANTHONY MIItABITO,LINDA MIRABITO, )
SOLANGE MARCHAND,JEAN MARTIN,NANCY A. )
MOORE,THOMAS STRUCKMAN,MARIA )
TRINDADE,RODRIGO TRINDADE,LAURENT ) N,
OUELLETTE,ANA PANIAGUA, DIONICIA FLORIAN, )
ANTOINETTE C. SANCHEZ,JANE E. GAMMON,
BRIAN TASHJIAN,CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT,ROBERT) —mac
BOZARJIAN,ELIZABETH BOZARJIAN,JULIAN ) n m -0 r=
NENSHATT,DAVID T. RAMSEY, JEAN E. RAMSEY, W C-' w 2
SCOTT GALBER,T.ERIC BERUBE,DOMENICA ) rte-< N
INGEMI, STEPHEN C.INGEMI,ROBERSON D. 3 0 M
TRONCOSO, CLARIZA J. TRONCOSO,MARY C. ) s w
LESCH, GARY R.JENKINS,PATRICIA O'BRIEN, ) n 4
co
SHAWN M. O'BRIEN,RALPH BERRY,DOROTHY A. )
FORTIN,ROSARIO BELTRE,CONSTANCE SANFORD,)
and JORDAN CASTRO, PLAINTIFFS )
V. )
}
SALEM LAFAYETTE DEVELOPMENT,LLC,and )
EUGENE COLLINS,PAUL DURAND, TIMOTHY E. )
KAVANAGH,PAMELA LOMBARDINI,JOHN )
MOUSTAKIS, CHARLES PULED,TIMOTHY REIDY, )
CHRISTINE SULLIVAN,and WALTER B. POWER,III, )
CHAIRMAN,BEING MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING )
BOARD OF THE CITY OF SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS;)
DEFENDANTS )
COMPLAINT PURSUANT TO M.G.L. CHAPTER 40A.SECTION 17
APPEALING SEPTEMBER 14.2006 SITE PLAN REVIEW/PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT DECISION OF THE SALEM PLANNING
BOARD CONCERNING 135 LAFAYETTE STREET SALEM-MASSACHUSETTS
This is an appeal from a Site Plan ReviewdPlanned Unit Development Decision of the
Salem,Massachusetts Planning Board(hereinafter"the Planning Board"or"the Board"),dated
September 14,2006 and filed with the Salem City Clerk on September 14,2006,concerning the
former St.Joseph's Church complex at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts(hereinafter
"the subject property","the St.Joseph's complex,"or"the St.Joseph's property")on the
grounds that said Planning Board Decision was arbitrary,capricious,unreasonable,violated due
process,exceeded the Board's authority,was based on legally and factually untenable grounds,
and was wrong as a matter of law.
A certified copy of said September 14,2006 Decision is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
PARTIES
l: Plaintiff,William Dzierzek,who resides at 146 Summer Street,Danvers,Massachusetts
01923,owns the real estate located at 157 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts, 10
Dow Street, Salem,Massachusetts,and 12 Dow Street, Salem,Massachusetts,all of
which abut the subject property,and 176 Lafayette Street, 182 Lafayette Street,and 7
Cedar Street,all in Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are all located in the
immediate neighborhood.
2. Plaintiff,Eric Easley,who resides at 145 Spoffard Road,Boxford,Massachusetts 01921,
owns the real estate located at 266 Washington Street, Salem, Massachusetts,65 Harbor
Street, Salem,Massachusetts,73 Harbor Street, Salem,Massachusetts, and 38 Salem
Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
3. Plaintiff,John Goff,is a preservation architect and former Executive Director of Historic
Salem Inc.,who,together with his wife,owns and resides at 194 Lafayette Street, Salem
Massachusetts 01970,which property is also located in the immediate neighborhood.
4. Plaintiff,Dr.Miroslaw Kantorosinski,who resides at 8 Almeda Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,is the owner of 5-5A Ropes Street;Salem,Massachusetts, which
abuts the subject property,and 8-10 Porter Street Court, Salem,Massachusetts,which is
located one block from the subject property,and is located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
5. Plaintiff,Linda Locke,who resides at 1 Pickering Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
owns 4446 Dow Street, Salem,Massachusetts, 7 Palmer Street,Salem,Massachusetts,
and 13-15 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are all within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
6. Plaintiffs,Anthony Mirabito and Linda Mirabito,who reside at 8 Nichols Lane,
Middleton,Massachusetts 01949,own 16 Porter Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which
property is located within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
7. Plaintiff, Solange Marchand,owns and resides at 159 Lafayette Street,Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is an abutter to an abutter of the subject property,
and is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
-2
8. Plaintiff,Jean Martin,who resides at 24 Leavitt Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
owns(together with her husband)24 Leavitt Street,Salem,Massachusetts,which is
located in the immediate neighborhood,and solely owns 34 Park Street, Salem
Massachusetts,which is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
9. Plaintiffs,Nancy A.Moore and Thomas Struckman,who reside at 59 Lexington Street,
Woburn,Massachusetts 01801,own the real estate located at 39 Prince Street, Salem,
Massachusetts,which is also located in the immediate neighborhood-
10.
eighborhood10. Plaintiffs,Maria Trindade and Rodrigo Trindade,own and reside at 40-42 Dow Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of
the Salem ZBA.
11. Plaintiff,Laurent Ouellette,who resides at 18 Hershey Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,owns 1 Harbor Street,Salem,Massachusetts,which property is within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
12. Plaintiffs,Ana Paniagua and Dionicia Florian,own 16 Dow Street,Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property abuts the subject property. Ana Paniagua resides at 1000 Loring
Avenue,apt. 1391, Salem,Massachusetts 01970 and Dionicia Florian resides at said 16
Dow Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970.
13. Plaintiff,Antoinette C. Sanchez,owns and resides at 20 Dow Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property abuts the subject property.
14. Plaintiff,Jane E. Gammon,owns and resides at unit 1, 160 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the
Salem ZBA.
15. Plaintiff,Brian Tashjian,owns and resides at 30 Park Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
16. Plaintiff,Christopher Knight,owns and resides at unit 2a, 56 Ward Street Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the
Salem ZBA.
17. Plaintiffs,Robert and Elizabeth Bozarjian,reside at 20 Clark Avenue, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,and own 9 Park Street,Salem,Massachusetts and 10-12 Park
Street,Salem Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
18. Plaintiff,Julian Nenshati,who resides at 34 Pitman Road,Swampscott,Massachusetts
01907,owns 3 Ropes Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located
within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
-3 -
19. Plaintiffs,David T.Ramsey and Jean E.Ramsey,who reside at 58 Gregory Island Road,
South Hamilton,Massachusetts 01982,own 12 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts and
15-17 Leavitt Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
20. Plaintiff, Scott Galber,who resides at unit 5,22 Winter Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
01970,owns 65 Harbor Street, 69-71 Harbor Street,22-24 Prince Street,and 27 Salem
Street, all in Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot
notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
21. Plaintiff,T.Eric Berube,owns and resides at 191 Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
22. Plaintiffs, Stephen C.Ingemi and Domenica Ingemi,own and reside at 7 Fairfield Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
23. Plaintiffs,Roberson D. Troncoso and Clariza J.Troncoso,own and reside at unit 4, 10
Porter Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located in the immediate
neighborhood.
24. Plaintiff,Mary C.Lesch,owns and resides at 15 Cedar Street Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
25. Plaintiff,Gary R.Jenkins,owns and resides at 5 Pond Street,Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
26. Plaintiffs,Shawn M.O'Brien and Patricia D. O'Brien, own and reside at 21 Cedar Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,and also own 23-25 Cedar Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
which properties are located in the immediate neighborhood.
27. Plaintiff,Ralph Berry,owns and resides at 3 Chase Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
28. Plaintiff,Dorothy A.Fortin,owns and resides at 2 Cherry Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
29. Plaintiff,Rosario Beltre,owns and resides at 15 Harrison Ave, Salem,Massachusetts,
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
30. Plaintiff,Constance Sanford,owns and resides at 19 Park Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which properly is located within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem
ZBA.
31. Plaintiff,Jordan Castro,who resides at 2 Station Road, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
owns 15 %Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which property is located within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
-4
32. Defendant,Salem Lafayette Development,LLC (hereinafter"SLD'),is a non-profit
development corporation with headquarters at 84 State Street, Suite 600,Boston;
Massachusetts 02109;is the owner of the former St.Joseph's Church complex at 135
Lafayette Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970;and is the recipient of the September 14,
2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision from the Salem Planning
Board herewith being appealed.
33. Defendant,Eugene Collins,also known as Gene Collins(hereinafter"Mr. Collins"),who
resides at 63 Appleton Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a member of the Salem
Planning Board who voted to approve said September 14,2006 Decision.
34. Defendant,Paul Durand(hereinafter"Mr.Durand"),who(according to information
obtained from the Salem Planning Board)resides at 209 Essex Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,is a member of the Salem Planning Board who voted to approve
said September 14,2006 Decision.
35. Defendant,Timothy E.Kavanagh(hereinafter"Mr.Kavanagh"),who resides at 14 May
Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a member of the Salem Planning Board who voted
to approve said September 14,2006 Decision.
36. Defendant,Pamela Lombardini,also known as Pam Lombardini (hereinafter"Ms.
Lombardini"),who resides at 3 Larch Avenue,Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a member
of the Salem Planning Board who voted to approve said September 14,2006 Decision.
37. Defendant,John Moustakis(hereinafter"Mr.Moustakis"),who resides at 23 Dearborn
Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a member of the Salem Planning Board who voted
to approve said September 14,2006 Decision.
38. Defendant, Charles Puleo,also known as Chuck Puleo(hereinafter"Mr.Puleo"),who
resides at 5 Freeman Road, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a member of the Salem
Planning Board who voted to approve said September 14,2006 Decision.
39. Defendant,Timothy Reidy,also known(according to information obtained from the
Salem Planning Board)as Tim Reidy and/or Tim Ready(hereinafter"Mr. Reidy"),who
resides at 22 Sable Road, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a member of the Salem
Planning Board who voted to approve said September 14,2006 Decision.
40. Defendant, Christine Sullivan(hereinafter"Ms. Sullivan',who resides at 111 Federal
Street,Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a member of the Salem Planning Board who voted
to approve said September 14,2006 Decision.
41. Defendant,Walter B.Power,M (hereinafter"Mr.Power"),who resides at 18 Loring
Avenue,Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is the Chairman of the Salem Planning Board. He
voted to approve said September 14,2006 Decision.
-5 -
42. All of the foregoing Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action,as all are substantially
aggrieved by the September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development
Decision of the Salem Planning Board
JURISDICTION
43. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Section 17 of Chapter 40A of the
Massachusetts General Laws.
44. This case is timely,as it has been filed within twenty(20)days from September 14,2006,
which is when the September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development
Decision was filed with the Salem City Clerk.
PROCEDURAL MSTORY AND FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
45. The St.Joseph's property consists of a parking lot and 4 buildings on approximately 2.6
acres of land at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts. The four buildings consist
of the former St. Joseph's church,the 3-story former rectory,the 3-story former St.
Joseph's school,and the 3-story former convent.
46. Said property is a basically rectangular parcel bounded by Lafayette Street to the west,
Harbor Street to the north, Salem Street to the east,and Dow Street to the south,and is
located in both the so-called Point and Lafayette Street neighborhoods.
47. Except for three 2 '/2-story residential buildings fronting on the northerly side of Dow
Street at the southeast corner of the site,the St.Joseph's property comprises the entire
rectangular block formed by said streets.
48. At the southwest comer of said site is the confluence of Lafayette, Washington, and Dow
Streets,which 3-way intersection constitutes one of the most congested and dangerous
intersections in Salem.
49. One block from the 3-way intersection of Lafayette,Washington,and Dow Streets,
approximately 100 yards to the South from the St.Joseph's site(ie. towards Marblehead),
is the intersection of Palmer and Lafayette Streets,which is another of the busiest and
most dangerous intersections in Salem,being a major egress from the Point
neighborhood.
50. All of the former St.Joseph's structures at the site were constructed prior to the
enactment of the current Salem Zoning Ordinance in 1965,and thus,all four buildings
represent prior non-conforming structures.
51. By far,the most architecturally significant building at the site is the former St.Joseph's
Church,which is an important example of the so-called International Style,a style of
-6-
modem architecture which is unique in Salem_ As such,it makes an important
contribution to Salem's world-renowned stock of 17th, 18t°,and 19"century architecture.
52. There is no question that the former St.Joseph's Church is eligible for inclusion in the
National Register of Historic Places maintained by the United States Department of the
Interior.
53. The former St.Joseph's school building and convent have no particular architectural
significance.
54. The church,rectory,and convent have been vacant since the parish closed on or about
August 15,2004. The school has been vacant since it relocated to the St.James parish on
Federal Street beginning in August or September of 2004.
55. The entire St.Joseph's property is located in an R-3 Zoning District.
56. Pursuant to the existing R-3 zoning,a maximum of 33 residential units can be
constructed at the site as a matter of right,with new construction not to exceed 45 feet in
height and 3 '/z stories.
57. The overwhelming majority of the buildings on the surrounding Lafayette,Dow, Salem,
and Harbor Streets,as well as those on Washington Street opposite the Lafayette Street
side of the property(ie. across from the pocket park)are either 2 '/2 or 3-story residential
dwellings 45 feet in height or less. As such,the overwhelming majority of the buildings
on said surrounding streets conform to the 3 %z story and 45-foot maximums pursuant to
the existing R-3 zoning in both respects.
58. The grade of the parking lot at the southern third of the site is already approximately 4
feet above the grade of the 2 '/:-story residential buildings fronting on Dow Street at the
southeast comer of the site.
59. In the Spring of 2005 the Archdiocese of Boston sold the entire St.Joseph's property to
the Planning Office of Urban Affairs(hereinafter"POUR'),a private non-profit
corporation,for$2,000,000.00,which thereupon created Salem Lafayette Development
Corporation,LLC(hereinafter"SLD')to develop the site.
60. The head of the Archdiocese of Boston,Cardinal Scan O'Malley, serves in his individual
capacity as the chief executive officer of POUA.
61. On Thursday,July 27,2006,the Planning Board of the City of Salem opened the first of
three public hearings on SLD's application for a Planned Unit Development(hereinafter
"PUD')to develop the St. Joseph's site primarily into 97 units,which represents 64 units
more than the 33 maximum number of residential units allowed by the current R-3 zoning
for that district.
-7 -
62. The proposed project basically calls for the razing of the former convent and landmark
Church,the development of the former rectory into 8 residential units,the conversion of
the former school into 14 residential units,and the construction of a new,6-story,65-foot
tall building immediately to the right(ie. south)of the rectory to contain 75 units, 64 of
which are proposed to be residential and i 1 are proposed to be commercial,including an
18,000 square foot Community Life Center on the first floor,which would also double as
a Senior Center.
63. Unlike the existing cruciform church,which was built with its narrow(i.e.40-foot wide)
nave perpendicular to Lafayette Street,the proposed new,65-foot, 6-story structure is to
be built parallel to Lafayette Street,approximately 180 feet in length,within a few feet of
the existing sidewalk.
64. The width of the proposed new structure is approximately 120 feet,or three times wider
than the existing 40 foot wide nave of the former St.Joseph's Church building.
65. Also unlike the existing cruciform church,all six floors of the new 65-foot structure will
be occupied 24 hours a day,7 days a week, 52 weeks a year,which is a substantial
increase in use compared to the former St.Joseph's Church,whose single-story interior
Mja (albeit 63 feet tat])was primarily used for brief periods only on Saturday
afternoons, Sunday mornings,and holy days.
66. Of the 97 residential units, SLD indicated that"approximately"30 units will be rented,
and the balance of 67 units will be sold as condominiums.
67. A major component of SLD's PUD application was its promise to dedicate 45%of the 97
residential units, or 44 units,for"affordable housing",which was later scaled back to
35%,or approximately 34 units,at the final Planning Board hearing on September 7,
2006.
68. On information and belief, said 34 units of affordable housing,whether rented or sold as
condominiums,will involve a discount of approximately 30%below prevailing market
rates,for which eligibility will be based on certain income limitations of the buyer or
tenants.
69. Thus,in essence,SLD's PUD application seeks an approximate 194% increase in
density of 64 residential units over the 33 maximum number of residential units permitted
by the existing R-3 zoning for the entire site,in return for which 33 of the extra 64 units
would be sold or rented as affordable housing at a discount(in either event)of
approximately 30%below prevailing market rates.
70. The balance of 31 units of the 64 units exceeding the current R-3 zoning would be sold at
market rates,in addition to the 33 residential units already permitted by the existing R-3
zoning,or altogether 64 units at market rates.
-8-
71. Said 1940/6 increase in residential density above the 33 maximum number of residential
units does not even inchrde the proposed 18,000 square foot Community Life Center,
which includes the so-called Senior Center.
72. The other major component of SLD's PUD application is the proposed 18,000 square
foot Community Life Center to be sold to the City of Salem. Although the purchase price
has yet to be finalized,the figure discussed at the three Planning Board hearings was
approximately$5,000,000.00.
73. None of the several Salem City Councilors who attended the three Planning Board
hearings seemed to be aware of the details of said purchase;no one seemed to know how
the City (which is,and has been,under severe financial constraints)is going to afford the
purchase price;and no one could explain what would happen to the project if the City
couldn't afford to buy said 18,000 square feet of first floor space.
74. Also complicating this issue is the fact that a substantial majority of Salem's senior
citizens who currently use the existing Senior Center on Broad Street are vehement in
their opposition to relocating the existing Senior Center on Broad Street to the St.
Joseph's site.
75. A multi-page petition signed by approximately 300 Salem senior citizens opposing the
proposed new Senior Center at the St.Joseph's site was submitted at the third Planning
Board hearing on September 7,2006,which opposition was re-affirmed in a heavily
publicized meeting conducted by Mayor Driscoll at the existing Broad Street Senior
Center a few weeks later.
76. Notwithstanding that approval of its PUD application will circumvent much of the
existing R-3 zoning for the district, SLD still needed two variances from the Salem ZBA,
one to increase the 45 foot maximum height restriction by 20 feet,to 65 feet,which
represents a 44.44%increase,and the other to increase the current maximum of 3 '/2
stories to 6 stories,which represents a 58.33% increase.
77. On August 23,2006 the Salem Zoning Board of Appeal(hereinafter"ZBA")voted to
grant said variances. A copy of the August 24,2006 ZBA Decision,entered in the Salem
City Clerk's office on September 5,2006, is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
78. On September 22,2006 forty-one individuals,consisting of owners of property directly
abutting the former St.Joseph's complex,owners of property within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA,and owners of property within the immediate
neighborhood,filed suit in the Essex Superior Court timely appealing said August 24,
2006 ZBA Decision,which action is entitled William Duerzek et al vs. Salem Lafayette
Development, LLC et al,Civil Action No. 2006-1820C.
79. On September 6,2006 SLD requested a continuance of a vote of the Salem Historical
Commission on its petition for a waiver of the 6-month demolition delay ordinance when
it became clear that the Commission regarded St. Joseph's Church to be an extremely
-9-
significant building and would not waive the demolition delay ordinance if a vote were
then taken on SLD's application.
80. On September 7,2006 the Salem Planning Board voted to approve SLD's PUD
application. The September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development
Decision(Exhibit A)reflecting that vote,which is herewith being appealed from,was
entered in the office of the Salem City Clerk at 5:27 p.m.on September 14,2006.
81. The Salem Planning Board is a"special permit granting authority"within the meaning of
Section 17 of Chapter 40A of the Massachusetts General Laws with respect to said
September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision.
82. As to each of the following Counts,the Plaintiffs reaffirm,re-allege,and incorporate all
of the prior allegations contained in paragraphs 1-81 inclusive above.
ARGUMENT
COUNTI
SLD's PUD does not comply with the statutory purpose
of a Planned Unit Development as defined in Section 7-15(b)
of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
83. Section 7-15 of the Salem Zoning Ordinance,entitled"Planned unit development,"
regulates PUDs.
84. Section 7-15(b)defines the statutory purpose of a PUD as follows:
"The planned unit development district is designed
to provide various types ojland use which can be
combined in compatible relationship with each
other as part of a totally planned development. It is
the intent of this district to ensure compliance with
the master plan and good zoning practices..."
Emphasis added
85. Clearly the components of SLD's PUD approved by the Salem Planning Board in its
September 14,2006 Decision do not represent'various types of land use"which are
being combined"in compatible relationship with each other."
86. The"types"of proposed land use are not"various,"but are merely two-fold: namely, 86
residential units and 11 commercial units.
- 10-
87. Even more to the point,there is no compatibility between the relationships of the
proposed 86 residential units,as 8 units are proposed to be located in the 3-story former
St.Joseph's rectory,which structure conforms with the current 3 '/z story and 45-foot
height restriction of the existing R-3 zoning, 14 units are proposed to be located in the 3-
story,former St Joseph's school,which structure likewise conforms to height and
number-of-story restriction in the existing R-3 zoning,and 64 units are proposed to be
located in the proposed 6-story,65-foot tall new structure,whose scale,dimensions,and
density completely overwhelms the other two structures of the project.
88. SLD touts the fact that 33 of the 86 residential units will represent"affordable housing,"
but that is not"a various type of use"within the meaning of Section 7-15(b).
89. Similarly,there is no compatibility between the 11 commercial units,which consists of
one 18,000 square foot Community Life/Senior Center and ten other commercial units,
which are far smaller in scale and dimensions.
90. Section 7-15(b)also recites,in relevant part,that another primary purpose of a Planned
Unit Development is as follows:
The advantages which are intended to result from
the application of the planned unit development
district are to be ensured by the adoption of a
precise development plan with a specific time limit
for commencement of construction
91. With respect to a primary component of SLD's PUD,namely the 18,000 square foot
Community Life and Senior Center,there wasrs no precision whatsoever concerning all
of the particulars of said transaction,even apart from the fact that an overwhelming
majority of Salem's Senior citizens who currently use the existing Senior Center on
Broad Street are emphatic in their opposition to relocating the existing Senior Center on
Broad Street to the proposed new Senior Center at the St. Joseph's site.
92. None of the several Salem City Councilors who attended the three Planning Board
hearings seemed to be aware of the details of said purchase,or the annual costs to
maintain same;no one(including the City Councilors)seemed to know how the City of
Salem(which is,and has been,under severe financial constraints)is going to afford the
purchase price or annual maintenance costs;and no one(including the City Councilors)
seemed to know what would happen if this material component of the PUD could not be
realized,either because the City could not afford the estimated$5,000,000.00 purchase
price,because of strong opposition to the acquisition,or otherwise.
93. The September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Decision also violates the
express requirements of Section 7-15(b)of the Salem Zoning Ordinance because there is
no"adoption of a precise development plan with a speck time limit for commencement
of construction."
Emphasis added
- 11 -
94. Similarly said September 14,2006 Decision does not demonstrate"compliance with the
Master Plan"of the City of Salem,nor does it represent"good zoning practices." Indeed,
with respect to the latter,it increases density to 97 units,64 units above the 33-unit
maximum for the site pursuant to the existing R-3 zoning,representing a 194% increase;
it increases the current 3 '/s maximum number of stories to 6 stories,representing a
44.44%increase;and it increases the current 45 height maximum to 65 feet,representing
a 58.33%increase,among other deviations from the existing R-3 zoning.
95. For these and other reasons the Salem Planning Board acted willfully and capriciously,
and exceeded its authority,in approving its September 14,2006 Site Plan
Review/Planned Unit Development Decision.
COUNT 11
The September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit
Development Decision is not in harmony with the Salem Zoning
Ordinance and the Master Plan of the City of Salem,as required
By Section 7-15(c)(1)of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
96. Section 7-15(c)(1)of Salem Zoning Ordinance provides the following in relevant part:
(c)All uses or any combination thereof permitted in
R-3...Districts may be allowed in a planned unit
development,subject to the following limitations of
uses:
(1)There can be a multiplicity of types of
residential development provided that, at the
boundaries with existing residential development,
where typical development is permitted,the form
and type of development on the planned unit
development site boundary are compatible with the
existing or potential development of the
surrounding neighborhoods.
Emphasis added
97. It is absolutely clear that the proposed 6-story,65-foot tall new structure is incompatible
with the existing development of the surrounding Point and Lafayette Street
neighborhoods,including,in particular,the existing residential development at the very
boundaries of the St. Joseph's site.
98. The overwhelming majority of the buildings on the surrounding Lafayette,Dow, Salem,
and Harbor Streets,as well as those on Washington Street opposite the Lafayette Street
side of the complex(ie.across from the pocket park)are either 2 '/:or 3-story residential
- 12 -
dwellings 45 feet in height or less. As such,said overwhelming majority of buildings on
said surrounding streets conform to the existing R-3 zoning in both respects.
99. For this reason alone,among other reasons,the Salem Planning Board acted willfully and
capriciously,and exceeded its authority,in approving its September 14,2006 Site Plan
Review/Planned Unit Development Decision.
COUNT III
The September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit
Development Decision does not comply with the height limitations
of the R-3 zoning district in which the planned unit development
is located,and thus,is a clear violation of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
100. Section 7-15(c)(4)is another of the 5 express limitations governing approval of planned
unit developments.
101. Section 7-15 (c)(4)reads in relevant port:
Height limitations shall he in accordance with the
zoning district in which the planned unit
development is located.
Emphasis added
102. The R-3 height restrictions for the St. Joseph's site is 45 feet. The maximum number of
stories is 3 %2 stories.
103. The proposed new structure is 65 feet tall,or 20 feet above the existing maximum,
representing a 44.44%increase. The proposed new structure is also 6 stories in height,
or 2 '/2 stories in excess of the existing R-3 maximum,representing a 5833% increase.
104. Section 7-15(c)(4)refers to the height limitations of the existing zoning;it does not refer
to height limitations which may be enlarged pursuant to a variance.
105. The August 24,2006 variances granted to SLD by the Salem Board of Appeal do not set
aside the requirement of Section 7-15(c)(4)that the proposed new construction not
exceed the existing height restrictions for the zoning district in which the planned unit
development is located.
106. For SLD to maintain that variances of the maximum height and number of story
restrictions of the Salem Zoning Ordinance by as much as 44.44%and 5833%
respectively represents compliance with Section 7-15(c)(4)is circular reasoning of the
worst sort,and makes an intellectual mockery of the planned unit development process.
- 13 -
107. For this reason alone,among other reasons,the Salem Planning Board acted willfully and
capriciously,and exceeded its authority,in approving its September 14,2006 Site Plan
Review/Planned Unit Development Decision.
COUNT IV
SLD has not demonstrated a reasonable relationship between the
proposed lot size and the usable and accessible open area within the
total development,and thus,violates Section 7-14(c)(5)of
the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
108. Section 7-15(c)(5)is another of the 5 express limitations governing approval of planned
unit developments.
109. Section 7-15(c)(5)provides in relevant part:
As a prerequisite,the developer shall demonstrate
that there is a reasonable relationship between the
proposed lot size and the usable and accessible
open area within the total development. An
individual lot shall be large enough to.provide for
private open space associated with the living
accommodations.
Emphasis added
110. In point of fact there was no such demonstration,nor is there such a reasonable
relationship.
111. For this reason alone,among other reasons,the Salem Planning Board acted willfully and
capriciously,and exceeded its authority,in approving the September 14,2006 Site Plan
Review/Planned Unit Development Decision.
COUNT V
The September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit
Development Decision does not make adequate provision
for usable open space,and thus,violates Section 7-15(h)(l)-(2)
of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
112. Section 7-15(h)(l)-(2)provides the following in relevant part:
(h)Provision shall be made so that usable open
space shall be owned:
- 14-
(1)By the City of Salem for pads,open space or
conservation use;
(2)By a corporation or trust owned or to be owned
by the owners of lots or residential units within the
land that may be approved by the planning board,
with provisions for limited easements for
recreational use by residents of the city,provided
that such ownership shall vest in sufficient rights to
enable it to enforce compliance with the restrictions
imposed by the planning board as condition of its
special permit:
113. In point of fact,there was/is no such required provision in the September 14,2006 Site
Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision of the Salem Planning Board.
114. Virtually all of the open space in the project is devoted to parking,which is not what
Section 7-15(h)(1)-(2)contemplates.
115. For this reason alone, among other reasons,the Salem Planning Board acted willfully and
capriciously,and exceeded its authority,in approving its September 14,2006 Site Plan
Review/Planned Unit Development Decision.
COUNT VI
SLD's proposed PUD doe not meet the three most fundamental
requirements of a planned unit development as provided in
Section 7-15(g)(l)-(3)inclusive of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
116. Section 7-15(g)(l)-(3)of the Salem Zoning Ordinance provides that a special permit may
be granted by a two-thirds(2/3s)vote of the Salem Planning Board after notice and
public hearing(s),provided that all other requirements.of Section 7-15 are complied with,
but only if the following three fundamental requirements are met:
(1)The proposed planned unit development is in
harmony with the purposes and intent of this
ordinance and the master plan of the City of
Salem and that it will promote the purpose of
this section [as defined in Section 7-15(b)];
(2)The mixture of uses in the planned unit
development is determined to be sufficiently
advantageous to render it appropriate to depart
from the normal requirements of the district;
- 15 -
(3)The planned unit development would not result
in a net negative environmental impact
117. The September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision,which
consists of 7 pages,contains absolutely no findings of fact whatsoever.
118. Indeed,after subtracting the six pages of largely boiler-plate conditions which are
routinely applied to all such projects,and the single-paragraph recording of the Planning
Board vote,which comprises pages 2-7 inclusive of said September 14,2006 Decision in
their entirely,one is literally left with a one-page decision,ie.page 1,for this
$26,000,000.00 proposed development.
119. Even that single-page is deceiving,in that much of page 1 of the September 14,2006
Decision is involved with such non-substantive matters as the title of the project,the
name and address of Salem Lafayette Development,LLC,the location of the project,and
a brief, 1 l-line single-paragraph summary of the scope of the project,
120. The entire rest of page 1 of said September 14,2006 Decision boils down to the
following:
(1)The proposed planned unit development is in
harmony with the purpose and intent of this
ordinance and the master plan of the City of Salem
and that it will promote the purpose of this section.
(2)The mixture of uses in the planned unit
development is determined to be sufficiently
advantageous to render it appropriate to depart from
the normal requirements of the district.
Specifically,the project incorporates a Community
Life Center,as requested by the City,and mixed
income affordable housing providing substantial
public benefit.
(3)The planned unit development would not result
in a net negative environmental impact. Based on
the information from the Environmental Impact
Statement and plans,the project will result in an
increase in public recreational space,a decrease in
peak stormwater discharge rates and will improve
the vacant site significantly from its current
condition.
121. While said September 14,2006 Decision characterizes the foregoing three paragraphs as
findings,it is clear that they are nothing more than self-serving conclusions which simply
repeat the statutory language of Section 7-15(g)(l)-(3)inclusive,except for the addition
- 16-
of the second sentence in paragraph 2 of the Decision,namely"Specifically,the project
incorporates a Community Life Center,as requested by the City,and mixed income
affordable housing providing substantial public benefit,"and except for the addition of
the second sentence in paragraph 3,namely"Based on the[undisclosed] information
from the Environmental Impact Statement and plans,the project will result in public
recreational space,a decrease in peak stormwater discharge rates and will improve the
vacant site significantly from its current condition."
122. Even these two single-sentence additions are conclusionary,self-serving statements on
their face.
123. In point of fact,said September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development
Decision is not in keeping with the purposes and intent of the Salem Zoning Ordinance,
including(in particular)-with respect to height,number-of-stories,and density,among
otherissues.
124. Said September 14,2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision is
likewise not in keeping with the 1996 Master Plan of the City of Salem,including in the
following material respects:
a. It does not"improve major vehicular routes through Salem"(page 19);
b. It does not"improve access...[to] the downtown"(page 19);
c. It does not improve"intra-city road linkages to enhance traffic efficiency and flow"
(page 20);
d. It does not reinforce"public institutional master plans"(page 26);
e. It does not"protect residential streets from commuter traffic"(page 31);
f. It does not"improve appearance of entrance corridors"(page 31);
g. It does not"improve appearance of private property"(page 32);
h. It does not materially"improve maintenance of parks"with respect to the adjacent
park(page 37);
i. It does not"protect and improve areas of historic significance,"including(in
particular)by demolishing the landmark SL Joseph's Church,which is eligible for
inclusion on the Nation Register of Historic Places maintained by the United States
Department of the Interior,and by overwhelming the scale and density of the historic
Point neighborhood(page 38);
j. It does not`improve efficiency of water and sewer system to guarantee public health
and safety"(page 41);and
- 17-
k. It does not improve"adaptive reuse of public buildings"(page 42).
125. The Plaintiffs aver that the mixture of uses in the planned unit development is not
sufficiently advantageous to render it appropriate to depart from the normal requirements
of the district,especially since said PUD has many significant deleterious effects on the
surrounding neighborhood,including with respect to density,scale,height,traffic,
parking,and adverse impact on neighborhood infrastructure,among other negative
effects.
126. The Plaintiffs further aver that the approved planned unit development will,in fact,result
in a significant net negative environmental impact on the surrounding neighborhood,
especially with respect to density, scale,height(including the consequent shadows cast
by the proposed new 6-story structure),traffic,parking,and adverse impact on
neighborhood infrastructure,among other serious negative effects.
127. With respect to traffic, even the Planning Board Chairman,Mr. Power,lamented the lack
of a traffic study at the third Planning Board hearing on September 7,2006,which he
noted is unprecedented for projects of this size,further stating that even much lesser
projects virtually always involve a traffic study.
128. Especially considering the huge volume of traffic on Washington and Lafayette Streets,
which are two of the City's primary entrance corridors,and that the 3-way intersection at
Dow,Lafayette,and Washington Streets,and the nearby 2-way intersection at Palmer
and Lafayette Streets,are two of the busiest and most dangerous intersections in the City,
the approval of said PUD without such a traffic study is all the more alarming.
129. With respect to the tripling of density of the SLD project,increased traffic not only
involves the increased traffic from 86 residential units and 10(conventional)commercial
units,but also the increased traffic from those using the 18,000 square foot Community
Life/Senior Center.
130. Said increased demands also apply to parking
131. At least one member of the Salem Planning Board made it clear that his mind was already
made up when he spoke at the first Planning Board hearing on July 27,2006 that he was
enthusiastically in favor of all aspects of the project even before the developer had
completed its presentation,or public comment(which ultimately lasted 3 evenings)had
begun.
132. The Planning Board.also began substantive discussion of the project at the second
Planning Board hearing on August 3,2006,even before the public comment period had
concluded,thus raising serious questions as to whether the public hearing process was a
sham to begin with.
- 18-
133. For the foregoing reasons alone,among other reasons,the Salem Planning Board acted
willfully and capriciously,and exceeded its authority,in approving its September 14,
2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision.
RELIEF SOUGHT
The Plaintiffs respectfiilly request that this Court:
a. enter a Judgment in their favor annulling in full the September 14,2006 Site Plan
Review/Planned Unit Development Decision of the Salem Planning Board;
b. award the Plaintiffs cost and reasonable attorneys fees in connection with their
prosecution of this appeal;
c. grant such other relief as is just and expedient.
Respectfully submitted,
William Dzierzek et al
By their attorney,
October 2,2006
John H. Carr,Jr.,Esq.
9 North Street
Salem,MA 01970
978-825-0060
BBO#075281
- 19-
a L
Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision
135 Lafayette Street.
September 14,2006
Salem Lafayette Development,LLC
C/o Joseph Correnti,Esq. m o
63 Federal Street
Salem,MA 01970 o�
err
RE: 135 Lafayette Street/Former St. Joseph's Church siten.
Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Egli `,"D
N
On Thursday,July 27, 2006, the Planning Board of the City of Salem opened a Public Hearing
under Sections 7-15 and 7-18 of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance, Planned Unit
Development Special Permit and Site Plan Review, at the request of Salem Lafayette
I- Development,LLC,for the property located at 135 Lafayette Street.The proposed project
includes the razing of the former churchand convent building,the renovation of the former
rectory and school buildings, and the construction of a new six-story building on the site. The
mixed-use development will include 97 units of housing and a Community Life Center.
Approximately thirty (30) units shall be rental units, and the approximately sixty-seven (67)
remaining units shall be condominiums. At least thirty-five(35)percent of the dwelling units on
the site shall be designated as affordable units. Hereinafter the term"Applicant" shall refer to the
Applicant,its successors or assigns.
The Public Hearing was continued to August 3, 2006, September 7,2006 and closed on
September 7,2006.The Planning Board hereby finds that the proposed project meets the
provisions of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance, sec. 7-15 (g), as follows:
1) The proposed planned unit development is in harmony with the purpose and intent of this
ordinance and.the master plan of the City of Salem and that it will promote the purpose of
this section.
2) The mixture.of uses in the planned unit development is determined to be sufficiently
advantageous to render it appropriate to depart from the normal requirements of the
district. Specifically, the project incorporates a Community Life Center, as requested by
the City,and mixed income affordable housing providing substantial public benefit.
3) The planned unit development would not result in a net negative environmental impact.
` ' Based on the information from the Environmental Impact Statement and plans,the
r
project will result in an increase in public recreational space,a decrease in peak
.. stormwater discharge rates and will improve the vacant site significantly from its current
condition.
At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board held on September 7,2006,the Planning
Board voted by a vote of nine(9) in favor(Power,Moustakis,Collins,Kavanagh,Durand Puleo,
Lombardini,Sullivan, Reidy), and none(0)opposed to approve the Site Plan Review and
Planned Unit Development application subject to the following conditions:
1. Conformance with the Plan
Work shall conform to the plans entitled,"St.Joseph's Redevelopment, Salem,
Massachusetts"Sheets C-1.1, 2.1, 3.1,4.1,4.2 and 4.3 and,prepared by Samiotes
Consultants,Inc., 10 Central Street,Framingham, MA 01701,dated June 14,2005 with
revisions on July 17, 2006 and elevations submitted to the Planning Board at the September
7,2006 meeting("the site plans"). Revised Plans reflecting all conditions and incorporating
by reference this decision must be submitted to and approved by the City Planner for
consistency with this decision prior to the issuance of a building permit.
2. Amendments
Any amendments to the site plan shall be reviewed by the City Planner and if deemed
necessary by the City Planner, shall be brought to the Planning Board for review and
approval. Any waiver of conditions contained within shall require the approval of the
Planning Board.
3. Construction Practices
All construction shall be carried out in accordance with the following conditions:
a. Exterior construction work shall not be conducted between the hours of 5:00 PM and
8:00 AM the following day on weekdays and Saturdays or at any time on Sundays or
Holidays. Any interior work conducted during these times will not involve heavy machinery
which could generate disturbing noises.
b. All reasonable action shall be taken to minimize the negative effects of construction on
abutters. Advance notice shall be provided to all abutters in writing at least 72 hours prior to
commencement of construction of the project.
c. Drilling and blasting shall be limited to Monday-Friday between 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
There shall be no drilling or blasting on Saturdays, Sundays,or holidays. Blasting shall be
undertaken in accordance with all local and state regulations.
d. All construction vehicles shall be cleaned prior to leaving the site so that they do not
leave dirt and/or debris on surrounding roadways as they leave the site.
e. All construction shall be performed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the
4 Planning Board, and in accordance with any and all rules,regulations and ordinances of the
2
City of Salem.
f. All construction vehicles left overnight at the site,must be located completely on the site.
g. A Construction Management Plan and Construction Schedule shall be submitted by the
Applicant prior to the issuance of a building permit. Included in this plan, but not limited
to, shall be information regarding how the construction equipment will be stored,a
description of the construction staging area and its location in relation to the site,and
where the construction employees will park their vehicles.The plan and schedule shall be
submitted and approved by the City Planner prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. .
All storage of materials and equipment will be on site.
h. Special attention shall be paid by the developer to locate the statue of St.Joseph reported
to be buried on the site. If said statue is located,the Applicant shall work with the
Archdiocese of Boston to resolve its status, and if feasible, as determined by the City
Planner based on documentation from the Applicant to preserve it in accordance with the
requirements of the Archdiocese.
4. Clerk of the Works
A Clerk of the Works shall be provided by the City, at the expense of the Applicant, its
successors or assigns, as is deemed necessary by the City Planner.
C5. Traffic Mitigation The Applicant agrees to contribute$20,000 toward a study/design of intersection and traffic
improvements at Lafayette Street. Such payment shall be made to the City upon the
Applicant's receipt of a building permit for the construction of the new building proposed for
the site.
6. Fire Department
All work shall comply with the requirements of the Salem Fire Department prior to the
issuance of any building permits.
7. Building Inspector
All work shall comply with the requirements of the Salem Building Inspector.
8. Zoning Board of Appeals
The terms of the Zoning Board of Appeals conditional approval for a height variance for the
site are incorporated into this decision, in their entirety.
0. Board of Health
a. The individual presenting the plan to the Board of Health must notify the Health Agent of
the name, address, and telephone number of the project(site) manager who will be on site
and directly responsible for the construction of the project.
b. If a DEP tracking number is issued for the site under the Massachusetts Contingency
Plan, no structure shall be constructed until the Licensed Site Professional responsible for
3
the site certifies that soil and ground water for the entire site meets the DEP standards for
the proposed use.
c. The developer shall adhere to the drainage plan as approved by the City Engineer.
d. The developer shall employ a licensed pesticide applicator to exterminate the area prior
to construction,demolition, and/or blasting and shall send a copy of the exterminator's
invoice to the Health Agent
e. The developer shall maintain the area free from rodents throughout construction.
f. The developer shall submit to the Health Agent a written plan for dust control and street
sweeping which will occur during construction.
g. The developer shall submit to the Health Agent a written plan for containment and
removal of debris, vegetative waste, and unacceptable excavation material generated
during demolition and/or construction.
h. The Fire Department must approve the plan regarding access for fire fighting.
i. Noise levels from the resultant establishment(s)generated by operations, including but
not limited to refrigeration and heating, shall not increase the broadband sound level by
more than 10 dB(A) above the ambient levels measured at the property line.
j. The developer shall disclose in writing to the Health Agent the origin of any fill material
needed for the project.
k. If a rock crusher is on site, a plan for placement of the crusher must be approved by the
Health Agent prior to placement and use.
1. Plans for food a establishment must be presented to the Health Agent and approved prior
to construction.
m. The resultant establishment(s) shall dispose of all waste materials resulting from its
operations in an environmentally sound manner as described to the Board of Health.
n. The developer shall notify the Health Agent when the project is complete for final
inspection and confirmation that above conditions have been met.
10. Utilities
a. Utility installation shall be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer prior to the
issuance of a Building Permit.All on site electrical utilities shall be located underground.
b. The Applicant shall clean the drain line on Dow Street downstream from the work site to
Salem St. preventing any debris from entering the downstream pipes.
4
11. Department of Public Services
The Applicant shall comply with all requirements of the Department of Public Services
12. Signage
Proposed signage shall be reviewed and approved by the City Planner and the Sign Review
Committee.
13. Lighting
a. No light shall cast a glare onto adjacent parcels or adjacent rights of way.
b. A final lighting plan shall be submitted to the City Planner for review and approval prior to
the issuance of a building permit.
c. After installation, lighting shall be reviewed and approved by the City Planner,prior to the
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
14.HVAC
If an HVAC unit is located on the roof or site,it shall be visually screened.The method for
screening the unit shall be submitted to the City Planner for review and approval prior to
installation.
15.Lafayette Park
The Applicant its successors and assigns (if not defined in paragraph one) agrees to
C% contribute $1,500.00 per year to the City of Salem for the purpose of creating a fund for the
ongoing maintenance and upkeep of Lafayette Park. Such payment shall be made to the
Department of Planning and Community Development commencing upon the receipt of a
building permit for the construction of the new building proposed for the site and on June 1
of each year thereafter.
16. Landscaping
a. All landscaping shall be done in accordance with the approved set of plans,with the
following revision: the Applicant shall locate columnar trees along the perimeter of the
site where they believe they are most appropriate and shall submit a revised landscaping
plan reflecting this placement to the City Planner for review and approval, prior to the
issuance of a building permit.
b. Trees shall be a minimum diameter of 3 'h"dbh (diameter breast height).
c. Maintenance of landscape vegetation shall be the responsibility of the Applicant,his
successors or assigns.
d. Any street trees removed as a result of construction shall be replaced.The location of any
replacement trees shall be approved by the City Planner prior to replanting.
5
e. Final completed landscaping,done in accordance with the approved set of plans,shall be
subject to approval by the City Planner prior, for consistency with such plans,to the
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
f. Fencing shall be installed along the property line on Salem Street and directly abutting the
residences on Dow Street.The section of fencing along Salem Street shall be a four-foot
black industrial.grade aluminum.The section of fencing along the residences along Dow
Street shall be wooden.Details and specifications for the fencing shall be submitted to the
City Planner for review and approval prior to the issuance of any building permits.
17. Maintenance
a. Refuse removal, ground maintenance and snow removal shall be the responsibility of the
Applicant, his successors or assigns.
b. Winter snow in excess of snow storage areas on the site shall be removed off site.
c. Maintenance of all landscaping shall be the responsibility of the Applicant. The Applicant,
his successors or assigns, shall guarantee all trees and shrubs for a two- (2)year period,from
issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy and completion of planting.
18. As-built Plans
As-built Plans,stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer, shall be submitted to the
Department of Planning and Community Development and Department of Public Services
=;. prior to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
The As-Built plans shall be submitted to the City Engineer in electronic file format suitable
for the City's use and approved by the City Engineer,prior to the issuance of Certificates of
Occupancy.
A completed tie card, a blank copy (available at the Engineering Department)and a
certification signed and stamped by the design engineer, stating that the work was completed
in substantial compliance with the design drawing must be submitted to the City Engineer
prior to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy; as well as, any subsequent requirements
by the City Engineer.
19.Building Materials
Illustrations of exterior building materials shall be submitted to the City Planer for approval
prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
20. Violations
Violations of any condition contained herein shall result in revocation of this permit by the
Planning Board, unless the violation of such condition is waived by a majority vote of the
Planning Board.
I hereby certify that a copy of this decision and plans has been filed with the City Clerk and
u copies are on file with the Planning Board. The Special Permit shall not take effect until a copy
6
of this decision bearing the certification of the City Clerk that twenty(20)days have elapsed and
�.,.: no appeal has been filed or that if such appeal has been filed, and it has been dismissed or
denied,is recorded in the Essex South Registry of Deeds and is indexed under the name of the
owner of record is recorded on the owner's.Certificate of Tide. The owner or applicant,his
successors or assigns, shall pay the fee for recording or registering.
Walter B Power,III
Chairman
WRU PY 7cfTY CLERK
SALEM, MASS.
7
y .
ntrLs CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
BOARD OF APPEAL n
120 WASHINGTON.STREET, 3RD FLOOR
SALEM. MASSACHUSETTS 01970
TELEPHONE: 978-745-9595
._.. FAX: 978-740-9846 fro cn
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL N
I. C)
MAYOR rt
T
r0
August 24, 2006 -. y
0
Decision
Petition of Salem Lafayette Development, LLC requesting Variances from
Height and Number of Stories for the property located at 135 Lafayette
Street, R-3 District City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A public hearing on the above petition was opened on August 23, 2006 pursuant to Mass
General Law Ch. 40A, Sec. 11,the following Zoning Board members present: Robin
Stein, Annie Harris,Beth Debski, Stephen Pinto, Bonnie Belair.
The petitioner Salem Lafayette Development, LLC is requesting variances pursuant to
section 9-5 to allow for construction of a six-story residential building as part of a
Planned Unit Development located at 135 Lafayette Street,Salem, in the Multi-Family
Residential (R-3) zoning district.
The petitioner is requesting variances from the forty-five (45)foot maximum height
requirement of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance (Sec 64,Table I) to approximately
sixty-five (65)feet, and from the three and one-half(3 '/2) stories maximum height
requirement to six (6) stories for the new construction of a multi-use building with
seventy-five (75)residential units and an approximately 18,000 sq.ft. Community Life
Center on the first floor.
The Board of Appeals, after careful consideration of the evidence presented at the public
hearing, and after thorough review of the Petition submitted, makes the following
findings of fact:
1. The property at 135 Lafayette Street is within the R-3 zoning district.
2. The Petitioner was represented by Attorney Joseph Correnti, 63 Federal
Street, Salem,MA.
3. A set of proposed plans were presented along with a rendering of the building.
The applicant stressed that the plans and rendering were preliminary and will
change. The site is the former home of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and
school, and includes a rectory and convent buildings.
4. Evidence was presented at the hearing that the Petitioner has met with the
abutting neighborhood associations, the Ward Councilors, City agencies, and
Historic Salem, Inc. on numerous occasions throughout the past year to
3
discuss the site and proposed plans. Meetings were also held over a period of
time with City officials, as well as the Planning Department. P
5. Mayor Kimberly Driscoll addressed the Board and spoke in favor 44he mac=
project, citing the City's detailed involvement with the development due tq the �
(JiF
proposed construction of a Community Life Center within the project an", e oma'
great need for mixed income housing and the community benefit, as welrPs a
City benefit that the Life Center provided. — cs
rn3
O . ..D
6. A number of abutters and Salem residents, along with several members oPthe
City Council, were present to speak in favor of the project, including Ward 1
Councilor Lucy Corchado, Council President Jean Pelletier, and Councilor at
Large Joan Lovely. Councilor Mike Sosnowski cited the density of the site as
a concern, but generally spoke in favor of the affordable housing component
of the project. Councilor Matt Veno was unable to attend the meeting, but
submitted a letter supporting the project.
7. Councilor Corchado presented a petition with 140 signatures of neighbors that
support the proposed development. Michael Whelan and Claudia Chuber,
former Councilor of the Ward, spoke in favor of the project on behalf of the
Salem Harbor CDC.
8. A representative of the Point Neighborhood Association stated that the
Petitioner has met with them several times regarding the plans and that the
Association supports the project. The Association is involved in the
immediate neighborhood affected by the project.
9. Community members speaking against the project were mainly concerned
with density and the relocation of the existing senior center.
10. The Petitioner is presently before the Planning Board seeking a Planned Unit
Development Special Permit and Site Plan Review.
11. The Petitioner presented evidence pertaining to the history of institutional use
on the site and the history of height of the buildings on the site over the past
100 years, two of which were taller than the proposed structure.
12. Evidence was presented by the Petitioner regarding the hardship resulting
from the uniquely large size of the lot, 2.6 acres, compared to others in this
district.
13. Evidence presented by the Petitioner demonstrated special conditions and
circumstances exist surrounding the history of use on this lot, including the
fact that four structures presently exist on the lot, the oldest two of which will
remain in the proposed plan.
b
14. Testimony of the Mayor and various elected officials clearly demonstrated
that the proposed plan and building will offer community benefits, including
mixed income housing, and a Community Life Center owned and operated by .
the City of Salem, creating special circumstances which are not found on
other lots in the district.
c�
rn
o �
15. Evidence was presented in support of the requested variances indicatinat a
certain minimum number of market rate units are necessary in order to sportu,cr.
the 45 below market units proposed for the new structure, and that witho !msix o r
stories; the lot could not be developed for residential use. A local developer 3
testified that he would need to construct at least 8 stories to make the prof- t i-M-5-
profitable. A hardship exists which requires a height variance in order to
provide the high level of public benefit being proposed. The need for 9
affordable housing was stressed by the Mayor, City officials and various
citizens.
On the basis of the above findings of fact, including all evidence presented at the`public
hearing, including, but not limited to, the Petition the Zoning Board of Appeals concludes
as follows:
1. The petitioner's request for variances to allow for a maximum height bf
approximately sixty-five (65) feet and six (6) stories does not constitute a
substantial detriment to the public good.
2. The requested relief does not nullify or substantially derogate from the intent
or purpose of the zoning ordinance.
3. The petitioner's lot size and coverage do not generally occur in the district and
are specific to their land.
4. A literal enforcement of the zoning ordinance would create a substantial
hardship to the petitioner.
5. In permitting such change, the Board of Appeals requires certain appropriate
conditions and safeguards as noted below.
In consideration of the above, the Salem Board of Appeals voted, five (5) in favor (Stein,
Pinto,Hams,Debski, Belair) and none (0) opposed, to grant the request for a variance,
subject to the following terms,conditions, and safeguards:
1. Petitioner shall comply with all city and state statutes, ordinances, codes and
regulations.
2. All requirements of the Salem Fire Department relative to smoke and fire
safety shall be strictly adhered to.
3. Petitioner shall obtain a building permit prior to beginning any construction.
4. Certificates of Occupancy are to be obtained.
5. Certificates of Inspection, as required, shall be obtained.
6. Petitioner shall obtain street numbering from the City of Salem Assessor's
Office and shall display said number so as to be visible from the street.
7. Petitioner is to obtain approval from any City Board or Commission having
jurisdiction including,but not limited to, the Planning Board.
8. The proposed new construction shall not exceed six stories or 65 feet in
height.
9. At least thirty-five percent (35%) of the dwelling units on the site shall be
marketed as affordable or below market rates.
10. That the principal use of the first floor of the new building be a municipal use
to include a Community Life Center.
11. That the former rectory and school buildings existing on the site shall be
reused in the proposed project.
Robin Stein
Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A COPY OF THIS DECISION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE CITY
CLERK
Appeal from this decision,if any,shall be made pursuant to Section 17 of the Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 40A,and shall be filed within 20 days of filing of this decision in the office of the City Clerk.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A,Section 11,the Variance or Special Permit
granted herein shall not take effect until a copy of the decision bearing the certificate of the City clerk that
20 days have elapsed and no appeal has been filed,or that,if such appeal has been filed,that it has been
dismissed or denied and is recorded in the South Essex Registry of Deeds and indexed under the name of
the owner of record or recorded and noted on the owner's Certificate of Title.
N
O
c
r-
-9
_T
'D
John H. Carr,Jr., Esq.
9 North Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-825-0060
Fax: 978-825-0068
October 2,2006
By Hand ;d
Salem City Clerk S'
City Hall co
93 Washington Street C>� v
Salem, MA 01970 ch 3 w o
a Mn N a
r-< G7
Re: William Dzierzek et al vs. 0 0 C:1
Salem Lafayette Development, LLC et al ! rnrn
Dear Mrs. LaPointe: 00
Enclosed please find Notice of Appeal To Essex Superior Court From September 14,
2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision Of The Salem Planning
Board Concerning 135 Lafayette Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
Would you or someone from your office kindly date-stamp and file same, and also
acknowledge receipt of the foregoing by date-stamping the enclosed copy of this letter
and return same with our messenger.
Thank you in advance for your attention to the foregoing.
Very truly yours
Enc. John H. Carr,Jr.
cc Plaintiffs
Thomas St. Pierre, Salem Building Inspector—By Hand
Lynn Duncan, Director of Planning and Community Development—By Hand
Clerk, Salem Planning Board—By Hand
Clerk, Salem Zoning Board of Appeal—By Hand
Joseph C. Correnti, Esq.—By Hand
r
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, SS. SUPERIOR COURT
CIVIL ACTION NO: 200fo-
WILLIAM DZIERZEK,ERIC EASLEY, JOHN GOFF, )
DOCTOR MIROSLAW KANTOROSINSKI, LINDA )
LOCKE,ANTHONY MIRABITO, LINDA MIRABITO, )
SOLANGE MARCHAND,JEAN MARTIN,NANCY A. )
MOORE, THOMAS STRUCKMAN, MARIA )
TRINDADE,RODRIGO TRINDADE, LAURENT
c o
OUELLETTE,ANA PANIAGUA,DIONICIA FLORIAN,
ANTOINETTE C. SANCHEZ, JANE E. GAMMON,
c:)
BRIAN TASHJIAN, CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT, ROBERT)
BOZARJIAN, ELIZABETH BOZ.ARJIAN,JULIAN ) i i '� z
NENSHATI, DAVID T. RAMSEY, JEAN E. RAMSEY, ) r c N
SCOTT GALBER, T. ERIC BERUBE, DOMENICA ) 30 rn
INGEMI, STEPHEN C. INGEMI,ROBERSON D. 7w y
TRONCOSO, CLARIZA J. TRONCOSO,MARY C. ) r 000
LESCH, GARY R. JENKINS, PATRICIA O'BRIEN, )
SHAWN M. O'BRIEN, RALPH BERRY,DOROTHY A. )
FORTIN, ROSARIO BELTRE, CONSTANCE SANFORD,)
and JORDAN CASTRO, PLAINTIFFS )
V. )
SALEM LAFAYETTE DEVELOPMENT,LLC, and )
EUGENE COLLINS,PAUL DURAND, TIMOTHY E. )
KAVANAGH,PAMELA LOMBARDINI,JOHN )
MOUSTAKIS, CHARLES PULED, TIMOTHY REIDY, )
CHRISTINE SULLIVAN, and WALTER B. POWER,III, )
CHAIRMAN, BEING MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING )
BOARD OF THE CITY OF SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS,)
DEFENDANTS )
NOTICE OF APPEAL TO ESSEX SUPERIOR COURT FROM
SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 SITE PLAN REVIEW/PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
DECISION OF THE SALEM PLANNING BOARD
CONCERNING 135 LAFAYETTE STREET, SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS
John H. Carr, Jr., attorney for the above-named Plaintiffs, hereby gives notice to the City Clerk
of the City of Salem, Massachusetts, and to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeal
respectively of the City of Salem, Massachusetts, that said Plaintiffs have appealed the
September 14, 2006 Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision of the Salem
Planning Board granting Salem Lafayette Development, LLC a planned unit development
("PUD')with respect to the former St. Joseph's church complex at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts, which Decision was filed with the office of the Salem City Clerk on September
14, 2006.
A copy of the Complaint filed as Essex Superior Court Civil action no. 2oo�, - 1987l7 on
October 2,2006 is attached hereto.
William Dzierzek et al,
By their attorney,
October 2,2006
John H. Carr, Jr., Esq.
9 North Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-825-0060
BBO# 075281
- 2 -
John H. Carr, Jr., Esq.
9 North Street
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-825-0060
,;Fax: 978-825-0068
c, o
September 26, 2006 _ w
- c
By Hand CM1.m 0 r-
0
Thomas St. Pierre, Building Inspector U)r_"n N
Cr
City of Salem r—<
120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor m ;
Salem, MA 01970
RE: William Dzierzek et al vs. Salem Lafayette Development,LLC et al,
Essex Superior Court Civil Action No. 2006-1820C
Dear Mr. St. Pierre:
Pursuant to yesterday's letter and fax to you, I am herewith enclosing the amended
Complaint in the above-entitled action, as amended at the Essex Superior Court yesterday
afternoon,together with a copy of my letter to Lisa B. Alberghini of Salem Lafayette
Development, LLC of today's date concerning same, which is self-explanatory.
Would you kindly acknowledge your receipt of same by date-stamping the enclosed copy
of this letter.
The address for Salem Lafayette Development, LLC,as listed in the amended Complaint,
is (based on the information that I received this morning from Lynn Duncan) still
incorrect, but that will be corrected in due course.
tru
John H. C
Cc. Plaintiffs
ir' a
John H. Carr, Jr., Esq.
9 North Street
Salem,MA 01970
Phone: 978-825-0060
Fax: 978-825-0068
September 26, 2006
By Hand and By Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested
Salem Lafayette Development,LLC, Q,4.
C/o Planning Office of Urban Affairs,
c,
Archdiocese of Boston, _.: co
84 State Street, Suite 600, rN„
Boston, MA 02109 o 0
VII
rn Cr
^� a
ATTN:Lisa B. Alberghini, Executive Director 3 rn o
0 m
rri
RE: William Dzierzek et al vs. Salem Lafayette Development,LLC e€fal,
Essex Superior Court Civil Action No. 2006-1820C D - !
Dear Ms. Alberghini:
At the time I initially drafted my civil Complaint in the above-described action I
specifically asked Sally of the Salem Building Department for the correct address of
Salem Lafayette Development,LLC ("SLD")and was told by her that it is 11135
Lafayette Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970,"which was the address I initially used for
SLD in paragraph 34 of the Complaint I filed by hand with the Essex Superior Court last
Friday appealing the August 24, 2006 Decision of the Salem ZBA granting height and
number-of-stories variances relative to the former St. Joseph's Church property at 135
Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970.
I was subsequently informed by the Salem Planning Director, Lynn Duncan,that the
current address for the Planning Office of Urban Affairs("POUA"), which she said she
assumed was/is the same address for SLD, is"185 Devonshire Street, Suite 600, Boston
Massachusetts 02110,"which(after checking in her office) she literally wrote out on a
piece of paper and gave to me.
I subsequently compared this address with the address listed on SLD's June 19/29, 2006
application for the two variances which was filed with the Salem Zoning Board of
Appeal, which application listed an identical address for SLD, except that it omitted
"Suite 600." I thereupon amended paragraph 34 of the filed Complaint at the Essex
Superior Court yesterday afternoon to reflect the 185 Devonshire Street address,and had
conforming copies,together with the Notice to the Salem City Clerk and Court Tracking
Sheet,hand-delivered or mailed by certified mail return receipt requested, as the case
may be,to SLD,and each member of the Salem ZBA,yesterday.
However,when I attempted to hand-deliver said copies to the 185 Devonshire Street
address yesterday, I was informed by the building representative in the lobby that your
office had moved out"a couple of months ago,"and he didn't know SLD's or POUA's
new address.
Not knowing what else to do, I left separate envelopes containing said documents
addressed to SLD at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem, Massachusetts,and at the top step of
Mr. Correnti's office since it was then after hours, and I could not find an outside mail
box.
I called Lynn Duncan back this morning, left her a lengthy message concerning same,
and she ultimately returned my call later in the morning saying that she too was unaware
of the change of address for both POUA and SLD,but had since learned that it is"84
State Street, Suite 600, Boston,Massachusetts 02109, as listed above,and that since she
nor anyone at Washington Street knew of the change of SLD's address, I could not be
faulted for same.
Accordingly, I am herewith enclosing copies of the following:
1. The Complaint(including Exhibits)filed by over 40 individuals appealing the August
24, 2006 Decision of the Salem Zoning Board of Appeal granting height and
maximum-number-of-story variances to Salem Lafayette Development, LLC, which
Complaint was timely filed with the Essex Superior Court by hand on the morning of
Friday, September 22, 2006;
2. My Notice to the Salem City Clerk concerning said Appeal that was filed by hand in
the Salem City Clerk's office last Friday morning as well, together with a copy of
said Complaint and the so-called Court Tracking Sheet;
3. Court Tracking Sheet.
Would you or someone from your office kindly acknowledge receipt of the foregoing
documents by signing the enclosed copy of this letter.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
John H. Can, Jr.
Enc.
Cc. Lynn Duncan, City Planner—Cover letter only—By I acid
Thomas St. Pierre,Building Inspector—By Hand �/
Joseph C. Correnti, Esq.—By Hand
e
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, SS. SUPERIOR COURT /
CIVIL ACT10N NO: Zoo b — l8'2p G
WILLIAM DZIERZEK,ERIC EASLEY,JOHN GOFF, )
DOCTOR MIROSLAW KANTOROSINSKI,LINDA )
LOCKE,ANTHONY MIRABITO,LINDA MIRABITO, )
SOLANGE MARCHAND,JEAN MARTIN,NANCY A. )
MOORE,THOMAS STRUCKMAN,MARIA )
TRINDADE,RODRIGO TRINDADE,LAURENT )
OUELLETTE,ANA PANIAGUA,DIONICIA FLORIAN, )
ANTOINETTE C. SANCHEZ, JANE E. GAMMON, )
BRIAN TASHJIAN,CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT,ROBERT)
BOZARJIAN, ELIZABETH BOZARJIAN,.JULIAN )
NENSHATI,DAVID T.RAMSEY, JEAN E. RAMSEY, )
SCOTT GALBER,T.ERIC BERUBE,DOMENICA ) a
INGEMI, STEPHEN C. INGEMI,ROBERSON D. ) c,_0 C� c
TRONCOSO,CLARIZA J. TRONCOSO,MARY C. ) o
NJ
LESCH,GARY R. JENKINS,PATRICIA O'BRIEN, ) r-;t
SHAWN M. O'BRIEN,RALPH BERRY,DOROTHY A.
FORTIN,JOHN J. PHELAN,ROSARIO BELTRE,
ORILLE L'HEUREUX, CONSTANCE SANFORD,and
4z -+
JORDAN CASTRO, PLAINTIFFS )
V. )
)
SALEM LAFAYETTE DEVELOPMENT,LLC,and )
BONNIE BELAIR,BETH DEBSKI,ANNIE HARRIS, )
STEPHEN PINTO,ROBIN STEIN,RICHARD DIONNE, )
and NINA COHEN,CHAIRPERSON,BEING REGULAR)
and ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE ZONING BOARD)
OF APPEAL OF THE CITY OF SALEM, )
MASSACHUSETTS, )
DEFENDANTS )
COMPLAINT PURSUANT TO M.G.L. CHAPTER 40A SECTION 17
APPEALING-AUGUST 24.2006 DECISIOPI OF THE SALEM
BOARD OF AMUL 9RAMMAPPEALMQYA11iANCU CONURNING 135
LAFAYEM STREET,SALEM,MASSACHUSETTS
This is an appeal from a decision of the Zoning Burd of Appeal of Salem,Massachusetts
(hereinafter"the ZBA"or"the Board'),dated August 24,2006 and filed with the Salem City
Clerk on September 5,2006,granting variances from the maximum height and maximum
number of story restrictions provided in the Salem Zoning Ordinance as they relate to the so-
called St. Joseph's property at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts(hereinafter"the
subject property"or"the St. Joseph's property")on the grounds that the ZBA's decision was
arbitrary,capricious,unreasonable,violated due process,exceeded the Board's authority,was
based on legally and factually untenable grounds,and was wrong as a matter of law.
A certified copy of said August 24,2006 Decision is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
PARTIES
1. Plaintiff, William Dzierzek,who resides at 146 Summer Street,Danvers,Massachusetts
01923,owns the real estate located at 157 Lafayette Street, Salem, Massachusetts, 10
Dow Street, Salem,Massachusetts,and 12 Dow Street,Salem,Massachusetts,all of
which abut the subject property,and 176 Lafayette Street, 182 Lafayette Street,and 7
Cedar Street,all in Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are all located in the
immediate neighborhood.
2. Plaintiff, Eric Easley,who resides at 145 Spoffard Road,Boxford,Massachusetts 0 192 1,
owns the real estate located at 266 Washington Street, Salem,Massachusetts,65 Harbor
Street, Salem, Massachusetts, 73 Harbor Street, Salem,Massachusetts,and 38 Salem
Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
3. Plaintiff,John Goff,is a preservation architect and former Executive Director of Historic
Salem Inc.,who,together with his wife,owns and resides at 194 Lafayette Street, Salem
Massachusetts 01970,which property is also located in the immediate neighborhood.
4. Plaintiff,Dr. Miroslaw Kantorosinski,who resides at 8 Almeda Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,is the owner of 5-5A Ropes Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which
abuts the subject property,and 8-10 Porter Street Court, Salem,Massachusetts,which is
located one block from the subject property,and is located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
5. Plaintiff,Linda Locke,who resides at 1 Pickering Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
owns 44-46 Dow Street, Salem,Massachusetts, 7 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
and 13-15 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are all within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
6. Plaintiffs,Anthony Mirabito and Linda Mirabito,who reside at 8 Nichols Lane,
Middleton,Massachusetts 01949,own 16 Porter Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which
properly is located within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA-
7. Plaintiff, Solange Marchand,owns and resides at 159 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is an abutter to an abutter of the subject property,
and is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
-2-
8. Plaintiff,Jean Martin,who resides at 24 Leavitt Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
owns(together with her husband)24 Leavitt Street, Salem, Massachusetts,which is
located in the immediate neighborhood,and solely owns 34 Park Street, Salem
Massachusetts,which is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
9. Plaintiffs,Nancy A. Moore and Thomas Struckman,who reside at 59 Lexington Street,
Woburn,Massachusetts 0 180 1,own the real estate located at 39 Prince Street, Salem,
Massachusetts,which is also located in the immediate neighborhood.
10. Plaintiffs,Maria Trindade and Rodrigo Trindade,own and reside at 40-42 Dow Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970, which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of
the Salem ZBA.
11. Plaintiff,Laurent Ouellette,who resides at 18 Hershey Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,owns 1 Harbor Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which property is within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
12. Plaintiffs,Ana Paniagua and Dionicia Florian,own and reside at 16 Dow Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property abuts the subject property.
13. Plaintiff,Antoinette C. Sanchez, owns and resides at 20 Dow Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property abuts the subject property.
14. Plaintiff,Jame E.Gammon,owns and resides at unit 1, 160 Lafayette Street, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970, which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the
Salem ZBA.
15. Plaintiff,Brian Tashjian, owns and resides at 30 Park Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
16. Plaintiff,Christopher Knight,owns and resides at unit 2a, 56 Ward Street Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,which property is within the 300 foot notice requirement of the
Salem ZBA.
17. Plaintiffs,Robert and Elizabeth Bozar ian,reside at 20 Clark Avenue, Salem,
Massachusetts 01970,and own 9 Park Street, Salem„Massachusetts and 10-12 Park
Street, Salem Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot notice
requirement of the Salem ZBA.
18. Plaintiff,Julian Nenshati,who resides at 34 Pittman Road, Swampscott,Massachusetts
01907,owns 3 Rope Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located
within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
19. Plaintiffs,David T. Ramsey and dean E.Ramsey,who reside at 58 Gregory island Road,
South Hamilton,Massachusetts 01982,own 12 Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts and
-3 -
15-17 Leavitt Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
20. Plaintiff, Scott Galber,who resides at unit 5,22 Winter Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
01970,owns 65 Harbor Street,69-71 Harbor Street,22-24 Prince Street,and 27 Salem
Street,all in Salem,Massachusetts,which properties are located within the 300 foot
notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
21. Plaintiff, T. Eric Berube,owns and resides at 191 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
22. Plaintiffs, Stephen C. Ingemi and Domenica Ingemi,own and reside at 7 Fairfield Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
23. Plaintiffs,Roberson D.Troncoso and Clariza J. Troncoso,own and reside at unit 4, 10
Porter Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,which property is located in the immediate
neighborhood.
24. Plaintiff,Mary C. Lesch, owns and resides at 15 Cedar Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
25. Plaintiff,Gary R.Jenkins,owns and resides at 5 Pond Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
26. Plaintiffs, Shawn M. O'Brien and Patricia D.O'Brien,own and reside at 21 Cedar Street,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,and also own 23-25 Cedar Street, Salem,Massachusetts,
which properties are located in the immediate neighborhood.
27. Plaintiff,Ralph Berry,owns and resides at 3 Chase Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
28. Plaintiff,Dorothy A.Fortin,owns and resides at 2 Cherry Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
29. Plaintiff,John J.Phelan,owns and resides at 3 Fairfield Street,Salem,Massachusetts
01970, which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
30. Plaintiff,Rosario Beltre,owns and resides at 15 Harrison Ave, Salem,Massachusetts,
01970,which property is located in the immediate neighborhood.
31. Plaintiff,Orille L'Heureux,who resides at 22 Francis Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,owns 87 Congress Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which property is located in the
imtnediate.neighborhood.
-4-
32. Plaintiff, Constance Sanford,owns and resides at 19 Park Street, Salem,Massachusetts
01970,which property is located within the 300 foot notice requirement of the Salem
ZBA.
33. Plaintiff,Jordan Castro,who resides at 2 Station Road, Salem, Massachusetts 01970,
owns 15 '/:Palmer Street, Salem,Massachusetts,which property is located within the 300
foot notice requirement of the Salem ZBA.
34. Defendant, Salem Lafayette Development,LLC(hereinafter"SLD"),is a non-profit
development co on with headquarters at ��� Uor�y eft
f Massachusetts co
the owner of the former St. Joseph's property at 135 Lafayette
Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970; and is the recipient of the two August 24,2006
variances from the Salem ZBA herewith being appealed.
35. Defendant,Bonnie Belair(hereinafter"Ms. Belair"),whose mailing address is P.O.Box
685, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a regular member of the Salem ZBA who voted to
grant said variances at the August 23, 2006 ZBA hearing. (ibis was the only address
available from the Salem ZBA.)
36. Defendant,Beth Debski(hereinafter"Ms. Debsk'),who resides at 43 Calumet Street,
Salem, Massachusetts 01970,is an alternate member of the Salem ZBA,who voted to
grant said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing.
37. Defendant, Annie Harris(hereinafter"Ms. Hams"),who resides at 28 Chestnut Street,
Salem, Massachusetts 01970,is a regular member of the Salem ZBA,who voted to grant
said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing.
38. Defendant, Stephen Pinto(hereinafter"Mr. Pinto"),who resides at 55 Columbus Avenue,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is a regular member of the Salem ZBA,who voted to grant
said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing.
39. Defendant,Robin Stein(hereinafter"Ms. Stein"),who resides at 141 Fort Avenue,
Salem,Massachusetts 01970,is an alternate member of the Salem ZBA,who voted to
grant said variances at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing,and is the author of the August
24, 2006 Decision
40. Defendant,Nina Cohen,who resides at 22 Chestnut Street, Salem,Massachusetts 01970,
is the Chairperson of the Salem Board of Appeal. She did not participate in the August
23, 2006 ZBA hearing,or the August 24,2006 ZBA Decision.
41. Defendant,Richard Dionne,who resides at 23 Gardner Street,Salem,Massachusetts
01970, is a regular member of the Salem ZBA. He did not participate in the August 23,
2006 ZBA hearing,or the August 24,2006 ZBA Decision.
42. All of the foregoing Plaintiffs have standing to bring this action,as all are substantially
aggrieved by the August 24,2006 Decision of the Salem ZBA granting said variances.
-5 -
JURISDICTION
43. This Court has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Section 17 of Chapter 40A of the
Massachusetts General Laws.
44. This case is timely,as it has been filed within twenty(20)days from September 5,2006,
which is when the ZBA's August 24,2006 Decision granting said variances was filed
with the Salem City Clerk.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY AND FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
45. The St. Joseph's property consists of a parking lot and 4 buildings on approximately 2.6
acres of land at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem,Massachusetts. The four buildings consist
of the former St. Joseph's church,the 3-story former rectory,the 3-story former St.
Joseph's school,and the 3-story former convent.
46. Said property is a basically rectangular parcel bounded by Lafayette Street to the west,
Harbor Street to the north, Salem Street to the east,and Dow Street to the south, and is
located in both the so-called Point and Lafayette Street neighborhoods.
47. Except for three 2 %:-story residential buildings fronting on the northerly side of Dow
Street at the southeast comer of the site,the St. Joseph's property comprises the entire
rectangular block formed by said streets.
48. At the southwest comer of said site is the confluence of Lafayette, Washington,and Dow
Streets,which 3-way intersection constitutes one of the most congested and dangerous
intersections in Salem.
49. All of the former St.Joseph's structures at the site were constructed prior to the
enactment of the current Salem Zoning Ordinance in 1965,and thus,all four buildings
represent prior non-conforming structures.
50. By far,the most architecturally significant building at the site is the former St. Joseph's
Church,which is an important example of the so-called International Style,a style of
modem architecture which is unique in Salem. As such, it makes an important
contribution to Salem's world-renowned stock of 17"', 18'h,and 19th century architecture.
51. There is no question that the former St.Joseph's Church is eligible for inclusion in the
National Register of Historic Places maintained by the United States Department of the
Interior.
52. The former St. Joseph's school building and convent have no particular architectural
significance.
- 6-
53. The church,rectory,and convent have been vacant since the parish closed on or about
August 15,2004. The school has been vacant since it relocated to the St. James parish on
Federal Street beginning in August or September of 2004.
54. The entire St. Joseph's property is located in an R-3 Zoning District.
55. Pursuant to the existing R-3 zoning,a maximum of 33 residential units can be
constructed at the site as a matter of right,with new construction not to exceed 45 feet in
height and 3 '/2 stories.
56. The overwhelming majority of the buildings on the surrounding Lafayette, Dow, Salem,
and Harbor Streets,as well as those on Washington Street opposite the Lafayette Street
side of the property(ie.across from the pocket park)are either 2 '/2 or 3-story residential
dwellings.
57. The grade of the parking lot at the southern third of the site is already approximately 4
feet above the grade of the 3 'h-story residential buildings fronting on Dow Street at the
southeast comer of the site.
58. In the Spring of 2005 the Archdiocese of Boston sold the entire St. Joseph's property to
the Planning Office of Urban Affairs(hereinafter"POUR"),a private non-profit
corporation,for$2,000,000.00,which thereupon created Salem Lafayette Development
Corporation,LLC(hereinafter"SLD")to develop the site.
59. The head of the Archdiocese of Boston, Cardinal Sean O'Malley,serves in his individual
capacity as the chief executive officer of POUA.
60. On Thursday,July 27,2006,the Planning Board of the City of Salem opened the first of
three public hearings on SLD's application for a Planned Unit Development(hereinafter
"PUD")to develop the St. Joseph's site primarily into 97 residential units,which
represents 64 units more than the 33 maximum number of units allowed by the current R-
3 zoning for that district.
61. The proposed project basically calls for the razing of the former convent and landmark
church,the development of the former rectory into 8 residential units,the conversion of
the former school into 14 residential units,and the construction of a new,6-story, 65-foot
tall building immediately to the tight(ie, south)of the rectory to contain 64 residential
units and an 18,000 square foot Community Life Center on the fast floor,which would
also double as a Senior Center,
62. Unlike the existing cruciform church,which was built with its narrow(i.e. 40-foot wide)
wall perpendicular to Lafayette Street,the proposed new,65-foot,6-story structure is to
be built parallel to Lafayette Street, 160 feet in length,within a few feet of the existing
sidewalk.
7 -
63. Also unlike the existing cruciform church, all six floors of the new 65-foot structure will
be occupied 24 hours a day,7 days a week, 52 weeks a year,which is a substantial
increase in use compared to the former St. Joseph's Church,whose single-story interior
Mace(albeit 63 feet tall)was primarily used only on Sunday mornings and holy days.
64. Of the 97 residential units, SLD indicated that"approximately"30 units will be rented,
and the balance of 67 units will be sold as condominiums.
65. A major component of SLD's PUD application was its promise to dedicate 45%of the 97
residential units,or 44 units, for"affordable housing",which was later scaled back to
35%,or approximately 34 units,at the final Planning Board hearing on September 7,
2006.
66. On information and belief,said 34 units of affordable housing,whether rented or sold as
condominiums,will involve a discount of approximately 30%below prevailing market
rates,for which eligibility will be based on income limitations of the buyer or tenants.
67. Thus, in essence, SLD's PUD application seeks an approximate 194%increase in density
of 64 residential units over the 33 maximum number of residential units permitted by the
existing R-3 zoning for the entire site, in return for which 33 of the extra 64 units would
be sold or rented as affordable housing at a discount(in either event)of approximately
30%below prevailing market rates.
68. The balance of 31 units of the 64 units exceeding the current R-3 zoning would be sold at
market rates,in addition to the 33 residential units already permitted by the existing R-3
zoning,or altogether 64 units at market rates.
69. Said 194%increase in residential density above the 33 maximum number of residential
units does not even include the proposed 18,000 square foot Community Life Center,
which includes the so-called Senior Center.
70. The other major component of SLD's PUD application is the proposed 18,000 square
foot Community Life Center to be sold to the City of Salem. Although the purchase price
has yet to be finalized,the figure discussed at the three Planning Board hearings was
approximately$5,000,000.00.
71. None of the several Salem City Councilors who attended the three Planning Board
hearings seemed to be aware of the details of said purchase;no one seemed to know how
the City(which is,and has been,under severe financial constraints)is going to afford the
purchase price;and no one could explain what would happen to the project if the City
couldn't afford to buy said 18,000 square feet of first floor space.
72. Also complicating this issue is the fact that a substantial majority of Salem's senior
citizens who currently use the existing Senior Center on Broad Street are vehement in
their opposition to relocating the existing Senior Center on Broad Street to the St.
Joseph's site.
- 8 -
73. A multi-page petition signed by approximately 300 Salem senior citizens opposing the
proposed new Senior Center at the St. Joseph's site was submitted at the third Planning
Board hearing on September 7, 2006,which opposition was re-affirmed in a heavily
publicized meeting conducted by Mayor Driscoll at the existing Broad Street Senior
Center a few weeks tater.
74. Notwithstanding that approval of its PUD application will circumvent much of the
existing R-3 zoning for the district, SLD still needed two variances from the Salem ZBA,
one to increase the 45 foot maximum height restriction by 20 feet,to 65 feet,which
represents a 44.44%increase,and the other to increase the current maximum of 3 '/2
stories to 6 stories,which represents a 58.33%increase.
75. On August 23,2006 the Salem ZBA voted to grant said variances,which is the subject of
this appeal. Alternate member,Robin Stein,who authored the August 24,2006 ZBA
Decision,and alternative member,Beth Debski,voted in place of Chairperson Nina
Cohen and regular member,Richard Dionne,who did not participate in the August 23,
2006 ZBA hearing or August 24,2006 ZBA Decision.
76. On September 6, 2006 SLD requested a continuance of a vote of the Salem Historical
Commission on its petition for a waiver of the 6-month demolition delay ordinance when
it became clear that the Commission regarded St. Joseph's Church to be an extremely
significant building and would not waive the demolition delay ordinance if a vote were
then taken on its application.
77. On September 7,2006 the Salem Planning Board approved SLD's PUD application,
which was entered in the office of the Salem City Clerk at 5:27 p.m. on September 14,
2006. A copy of said decision is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
78. As to each of the following Counts,the Plaintiffs reaffirm,re-allege,and incorporate all
of the prior allegations contained in paragraphs 1-77 inclusive above.
ARGUMENT
COUNTI
The ZBA findings are generally insufficient to support said
August 24,2006 Decision granting said variances.
79. The August 24,2006 Decision lists 15 explicit findings of fact in[purported] support of
the two variances.
80. None of said findings are legally germane to the issues at hand,which relate to the basis
for the Board's decision to grant variances increasing the 45 foot maximum height
-9-
restriction to 60 feet,which represents a 44.44%increase over the existing R-3 zoning,
and for increasing the 3 %:maximum number of stories to 6-stories,which represents a
58.33%increase.
81. Most of the findings represent either self-serving conclusions without any specificity
whatsoever,or attest to the project's popularity with either the Mayor, some elected
officials,or certain groups within the local Salem population,all of which is hardly a
legal basis for granting said relief. Whatsoever its merits,popularity with some groups is
not a proper basis for granting variances.
82. The reason that no such specificity was cited is because,in point of fact,no such legally-
relevant evidence was introduced at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing in support of said
variances.
83. Findings 1, 2,and 3 offer absolutely no guidance whatsoever as to the bases for said
variances.
84. Finding 12 recites that"Evidence was presented by the Petitioner regarding the hardship
resulting from the uniquely large size of the lot,2.6 acres, compared to others in the
district...,"without specifying what said evidence was,how it related to the height or
number of stories issues,or why other solutions that might have been more compatible
with the existing R-3 zoning were not possible.
85. "The uniquely large size of the lot"alone is not a sufficient basis for said variances.
Indeed,one might reasonably conclude that such a large-sized lot offered more
opportunities for development compatible with the existing R-3 zoning,not less.
86. Finding 1 I recites that"The Petitioner presented all evidence pertaining to the histary of
institutional use on the site and the higm of the buildings on the site over the past 100
years,two of which buildings were taller than the proposed structure...,"which purported
information,even if true,is completely irrelevant to the issue of whether said variances
should be granted.
87. The proper issue before the ZBA was not what the area may have looked like at one
particular point in its history,especially if that occurred before the introduction of zoning,
but what the conditions are,as well as the current zoning.
88. Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a copy of a colored lithograph of Lafayette Street
looking north toward the downtown of Salem that was drawn in 1852 from the vantage
point of Lafayette and Harbor Streets. Surely it is just as irrelevant for the petitioner to
argue that it should be entitled to a 6-story building because at some point in history there
was a taller building on the site as it would be for the opponents to argue that the 1852
neighborhood should be replicated.
89. Findings 4,5,6,7,and 8 all deal exclusive with the purported popularity of the project
with some groups within the Salem community,which certainly does not include the
- 10 -
within appellants,who are all stakeholders in the neighborhood, and as such,are entitled
to rely on the protections afforded by the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
90. Finding 9 recites that"Community members speaking against the project were mainly
concerned with density and relocation of the existing senior center."
91. In point of fact,the within appellants and many more members of the Salem Community
are just as concerned about the issues of scale and height, as they are about density, if not
more so,since all three elements of the proposed new construction completely
overwhelm the surrounding immediate neighborhood.
92. The appellants are not alone in their concern over such issues. Historic Salem, Inc.,a
non-profit local preservation group(hereinafter"HSI"), and many others,have gone on
record citing the scale and height,as well as the density,of the project as maior problems.
Indeed,HSI has added the issues of scale and density throughout the downtown, and
surrounding areas,to its"10 Most Endangered List." Attached hereto as Exhibits D and
E are letters from HSI and Margaret Twohey to the Planning Board concerning said
issues,dated July 22,2006 and August 18,2006 respectively,copies of which were also
furnished to the ZBA prior to its August 23,2006 hearing.
93. Finding 14 recites simply that the project's mixed income housing and"the possibility of
a Community Life Center owned and operated by the City of Salem"create"special
circumstances which are not found on other lots in the district,"without(again)
specifically indicating what said special circumstances are,or how that relates to the
zoning issues before the Board,which involve increasing the relevant R-3 height and
3 1/2 story restrictions by 44.44%and 58.33%respectively.
94. Finding 15 simply recites the self-serving conclusionary statement,without explanation,
that"A hardship exists which r ui s a height variance in order to provide the high level
of public benefit being proposed...,"citing the lone unsupported testimony of"a local
developer"that he would need to construct at least 8 stories to make the project work."
[Emphasis added]
95. Even apart from the issue that the alleged"high level of public benefits"are very much in
dispute,including by an overwhelming majority of Salem's senior citizens who use the
existing Senior Center on Broad Street,this is clearly an inadequate basis to support said
extreme increases of the existing R-3 zoning.
96. It is clear that there are no competent findings of fact in said August 24,2006 Decision
regarding hardship,special circumstances,or why such variances will not nullify the
public good,or derogate from the intent and purpose of Salem's R-3 zoning for that
district.
97. Apart from all other considerations, it is clear from the lack of competent,relevant
findings that the Board acted willfully and capriciously,and exceeded its authority,in
granting said variances.
- 11 -
1'
98. For these reasons alone, said variances should be nullified and overturned.
COUNT II
There is no legally-recognized hardship at all,let alone hardship sufficient
to entitle SLD to either or both of said variances.
99. The only purported findings of fact with respect to hardship are the self-serving
conclusionary statements found in Findings 13 and 15.
100. Finding 13 recites simply that the hardship is"from the uniquely large size of the lot,2.6
acres, compared to others in the district...,"and Finding 15 simply recites that"A
hardship exists which requires a height variance in order to provide the high level of
public benefit being proposed."
101. Note that in the first instance there is absolutely no explanation as to how and why"a
uniquely large"lot constitutes hardship. Indeed,the more compelling inference to be
drawn from that single fact,even if true,is that such a lot affords far more opportunities
for development compatible with the existing R-3 zoning,than less.
102. In essence,what the developer is arguing is that the existing R-3 zoning itself is the basis
for the hardship.
103. With respect to Finding 15,it should also be noted that the alleged hardship is
unexplained. The hardship"which [supposedly]muires a height variance" is accepted
as a given. [Emphasis added] Even though this is the findings section of the Decision,
said finding is,in fact,an unsupported conclusion.
104. It is clear that SLD had the burden of proving each of the primary elements needed to
justify the granting of said variances,especially variances which increase the existing R-3
height and number of stories restrictions by as much as 44.44°/a and 58.33%respectively.
105. It is axiomatic under Massachusetts law that hardship cannot be self-created.
106. In point of fact there was no evidence with respect to legally-recognized hardship
submitted at the August 23,2006 ZBA hearing,or to be found in the August 24,2006
Decision.
107. SLD is presumed to know the R-3 zoning for the property,and presumably it took that
into account in negotiating its purchase price for the property.
108. If there were zoning issues that needed to be resolved,those should have been resolved
prior to consummating the purchase.
- 12 -
109. By having proceeded with the purchase, SLD's claimed hardship is entirely self-created
and does not constitute a basis for granting said variances.
110. By having granted said variances in part on said spurious claims of hardship,the ZBA
acted willfully and capriciously,and exceeded its authority.
111. For this reason alone said variances should be nullified and overturned.
COUNT III
There are no special conditions or circumstances which justify the
granting of said variances.
112. The only findings of fact with respect to"special conditions and circumstances"is found
in Finding 13,which recited the following in its entirety:
Evidence presented by the Petitioner
demonstrated special conditions and
circumstances exist surrounding the
history of use on this lot including
the fact that four structures presently
exist on the lot,the oldest two of
which will remain in the proposed
plan.
Emphasis added
113. It is patently clear on the face of said finding that the above does not constitute a special
condition and/or circumstance sufficient to grant a variance pursuant to Massachusetts
zoning law, and that if SLD's above definition were adopted,it would debase the
meaning of that term out of all practical legal significance.
114. In point of fact,the site in question is flat,has no topographical anomalies,and has been
previously built upon, as is explicitly recognized in the finding.
115. It is also important to note that the alleged specific"special conditions and
circumstances"have nothing to do with the physical characteristics of the site,but with
the alleged prior history of use of the site.
116. There is nothing about the prior use of the site that constitutes a special condition or
circumstance within the meaning of Massachusetts zoning law. The site contains four
buildings on 2.6 acres,much of it already clear. If there are costs to demolish the
buildings in order to make the development more compatible with the R-3 zoning,that
should have been reflected in the purchase price.
- 13 -
117. In point of fact there was no legally competent evidence introduced at the August 23,
2006 ZBA hearing on the issue of special conditions and circumstances,as fording 13
implicitly and explicitly makes clear,nor do such special conditions and/or circumstances
exist.
118. As such,the ZBA acted wilMy and capriciously,and exceeded its authority, in granting
said variances.
119. For this reason alone, said variance should be nullified and overturned.
COUNT IV
Said variances constitute a substantial detriment to the public good.
120. There are absolutely no findings of fact in the August 24,2006 ZBA Decision in support
of its formal Conclusion No. 1,found on the third page of said Decision,that"The
Petitioner's request for variances to allow for a maximum height of approximately sixty-
five(65)feet and six(6) stories does not constitute a substantial detriment to the public
good
121. As above,this essential finding necessary for the granting of said variances(along with
the other necessary elements)is simply accepted as a given.
122. How the 6 stories totaling 65 feet will relate to the surrounding neighborhood,the
shadows that will be cast,the impact on traffic and city infiustructure,including impact
on the water and sewer system,the density of said stories, and other effects,are all
simply assumed not to be a detriment to the public good.
123. Enabling 33 owners or tenants out of a city of approximately 40,000 people to have a
33%discount on their rent,or the purchase price of their condominium,may be a
laudable goal,but it does not justify the obvious significant adverse effects that will be
caused to both the Point and Lafayette Street neighborhoods if such a monstrosity is
allowed to be built, especially if specific provisions of the Salem Zoning Ordinance
which are intended to prevent said adverse effects are ignored.
124. Clearly the scale of a neighborhood is a critical aspect of the integrity and vitality of that
neighborhood,and any variances granting increases in the height and maximum number
of stories by as much as 44.44%and 58.33%over the existing R-3 maximums should not
be granted without clear and convincing evidence that such action will not cause
substantial detriment to the public good,which evidence simply does not exist here.
125. In light of same,it is clear that the ZBA has acted willfiilly and capriciously in drawing
its formal Conclusion No.I that there will be no substantial detriment caused to the public
good,and thereby,has exceeded its authority in granting said variances.
- 14-
126. For this reason alone, said variances should be nullified and overturned.
COUNT V
Said variances nullify and substantially derogate from the intent
and purpose of the Salem Zoning Ordinance.
127. As with the preceding Count IV,there are absolutely no findings of fact in the August 24,
2006 ZBA Decision in support of its formal Conclusion No. 2, found on the third page of
said Decision,that"The requested relief does not nullify or substantially derogate from
the intent or purpose of the zoning ordinance."
128. The current maximum height restriction for new construction pursuant to the current R-3
zoning for the St.Joseph's property is 45 feet. SLD proposes constructing a new
building of 65 feet,20 feet over the R-3 maximum,which represents a 44.44%increase.
129. The current maximum number of stories for new construction pursuant to the current R-3
zoning is 3 '/2 stories. SLD's proposed new building is 6 stories,2 'h stories over the
existing maximum,representing a 58.33%increase.
130. If such substantial percentage increases are of no consequence, what is the point of
having such restrictions in the first place, or for that matter,what is the point of having a
zoning ordinance at all?
131. Exceptions(in this case called variances)are just that: exceptions, and then are only
supposed to be granted under tightly controlled circumstances,which do not exist here.
They are certainly not intended to be the rule.
132. The current rectory, school,and convent are all three stories,well within the 3 '/Z story
maximums pursuant to the current R-3 zoning. On information and belief,they also do
not exceed the R-3 height maximum of 45 feet.
133. And while it is true that St. Joseph's Church is approximately 63 feet tall,2 feet shorter
than SDL's proposed new 6-story building,there are the following important distinctions
which should be noted:
a. St. Joseph's Church is grandfathered as a prior non-conforming structure,since it
was erected in 1949,well before the enactment of Salem's Zoning Ordinance in
1965;
b. While there is 63 feet of exterior space,the interior space consists of a ft1s;of the same height,which is entirely ceremonial in nature;
- 15 -
C. The former use of that space primarily occurred at limited hours, generally only
on late Saturday afternoons, Sunday mornings,and Church holidays;
d. The church is a cruciform church,with its narrow(i.e.40 feet wide)edge to
Lafayette Street,which thereby minimizes the impact of its height on said street;
C. As a symbolic and ceremonial building,the very epicenter(originally)of the
surrounding French Canadian Community that built the complex,the size and
height of the church have an obvious visual logic;
f. None of the foregoing apply to SDL's proposed new 6-story structure;
g. Clearly there is no such visual logic for height or massing in a 6-story
condominium building;
h. Instead of a single-story interior space that was primarily used only for
ceremonial purposes during a limited number of hours each week,the interior of
the proposed 65 foot tall building will consist of 6 floors,each of which will be in
constant use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.
i. And instead of the thin side of the building being on Lafayette Street, SDL
intends to construct the long(i.e. 160 feet) side of the new, 6-story, 65-foot tall
structure directly on the sidewalk.
134. For all of the above reasons,any comparison between the former St. Joseph's Church
building, and the proposed new 60-story building, is glib, disingenuous,and intellectually
dishonest at best.
135. For all of the above reasons,and more,it is clear that the ZBA acted arbitrarily and
capriciously,and exceeded its authority, in granting said variances,which basically
amount to political decisions.
136. Because the proposed new 6-story structure does in fact nullify and substantially derogate
from the intent and purpose of the Salem Zoning Ordinance, said variances should be
nullified and overturned for this reason alone.
RELIEF SOUGHT
The Plaintiffs respectfiilly request that this Court:
a. enter a Judgment in their favor annulling in full the August 24, 2006 Decision of the
Salem ZBA granting said variances;
- 16-
b. award the Plaintiffs cost and reasonable attorneys fees in connection with their
prosecution of this appeal;
c. grant such other relief as is just and expedient.
Respectfully submitted,
William Dzierzek et al
By their attorney,
September 22,2006
John H. Carr,Jr.,Esq.
9 North Street
Salem,MA 01970
978-825-0060
BBO#075281
- 17 -
011 �4
CITY OF SALEM MASSACHUSETTS
'r BOARD OF APPEAL
` 120 WASHINGTON STREET, 3RD FLOORr, O1,
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 Tr <
TELEPHONE: 978-745-9595, �3C�
FAX: 976-740-9846
KIMBERLEY DRISCOLLN -
1 Orr
MAYOR t .i T
August 24, 2006
0
s
Decision
Petition of Salem Lafayette Development, LLC requesting Variances from
Height and Number of Stories for the property located at 135 Lafayette
Street, R-3 District City of Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A public hearing on the above petition was opened on August 23, 2006 pursuant to Mass
General Law Ch. 40A, Sec. 11,the following Zoning Board members present: Robin
n•
Stein, Annie Harris, Beth Debski, Stephen Pinto, Bonnie Belair.
The petitioner Salem Lafayette Development,LLC is requesting variances pursuant to
section 9-5 to allow for construction of a six-story residential building as part of,a
Planned Unit Development located at 135 Lafayette Street, Salem, in the Multi-Family
Residential (R-3) zoning district.
The petitioner is requesting variances from the forty-five (45) foot maximum height
requirement of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance (Sec 6-4,Table I) to approximately
sixty-five (65)feet, and from the three and one-half(3 1/2) stories maximum height
requirement to six (6) stories for the new construction of a multi-use building with
seventy-five (75)residential units and an approximately 18,000 sq.ft. Community Life
Center on the first floor.
The Board of Appeals, after careful consideration of the evidence presented at the public
hearing, and after thorough review of the Petition submitted, makes the following
findings of fact:
1. The property at 135 Lafayette Street is within the R-3 zoning district.
2. The Petitioner was represented by Attorney Joseph Correnti, 63 Federal
Street, Salem, MA.
3. A set of proposed plans were presented along with a rendering of the building.
The applicant stressed that the plans and rendering were preliminary and will
change. The site is the former home of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and
school, and includes a rectory and convent buildings.
4. Evidence was presented at the hearing that the Petitioner has met with the
abutting neighborhood associations, the Ward Councilors, City agencies, and
Historic Salem, Inc. on numerous occasions throughout the past year to
. • Y
discuss the site and proposed plans. Meetings were also held over a period of
time with City officials, as well as the Planning Department. A E,
5. Mayor Kimberly Driscoll addressed the Board and spoke in favor ohhe mxT:
project, citing the City's detailed involvement with the development due tq the T
proposed construction of a Community Life Center within the project an`lthe CD
great need for mixed income housing and the community benefit, as welljps a -.�;
City benefit that the Life Center provided. m
o " D
6. A number of abutters and Salem residents, along with several members oPthe
City Council, were present to speak in favor of the project, including Ward 1
Councilor Lucy Corchado, Council President Jean Pelletier, and Councilor at
Large Joan Lovely. Councilor Mike Sosnowski cited the density of the site as
a concern, but generally spoke in favor of the affordable housing component
of the project. Councilor Matt Veno was unable to attend the meeting, but
submitted a letter supporting the project. �.
7. Councilor Corchado presented a petition with 140 signatures of neighbors that
support the proposed development. Michael Whelan and Claudia Chuber,
former Councilor of the Ward, spoke in favor of the project on behalf of the
Salem Harbor CDC.
8. A representative of the Point Neighborhood Association stated that the
Petitioner has met with them several times regarding the plans and that the
Association supports the project. The Association is involved in the
immediate neighborhood affected by the project.
9. Community members speaking against the project were mainly concerned
with density and the relocation of the existing senior center.
10. The Petitioner is presently before the Planning Board seeking a Planned Unit
Development Special Permit and Site Plan Review.
11. The Petitioner presented evidence pertaining to the history of institutional use
on the site and the history of height of the buildings on the site over the past
100 years,two of which were taller than the proposed structure.
12. Evidence was presented by the Petitioner regarding the hardship resulting
from the uniquely large size of the lot, 2.6 acres, compared to others in this
district.
13. Evidence presented by the Petitioner demonstrated special conditions and
circumstances exist surrounding the history of use on this lot, including the
fact that four structures presently exist on the lot, the oldest two of which will
remain in the proposed plan.
14. Testimony of the Mayor and various elected officials clearly demonstrated
that the proposed plan and building will offer community benefits, including
mixed income housing, and a Community Life Center owned and operated by
the City of Salem, creating special circumstances which are not found on
other lots in the district.
C-)';
15. Evidence was presented in support of the requested variances indicatin at a 0
certain minimum number of market rate units are necessary in order to sl*port u,r
the 45 below market units proposed for the new structure, and that witho�&six o r
stories; the lot could not be developed for residential use. A local developer3
testified that he would need to construct at least 8 stories to make the projA M3
profitable. A hardship exists which requires a height variance in order to v
provide the high level of public benefit being proposed. The need for9
affordable housing was stressed by the Mayor, City officials and various
citizens.
On the basis of the above findings of fact, including all evidence presented at the public
hearing, including, but not limited to, the Petition the Zoning Board of Appeals concludes
as follows:
1. The petitioner's request for variances to allow for a maximum height bf
approximately sixty-five (65) feet and six (6) stories does not constitute a
substantial detriment to the public good.
2. The requested relief does not nullify or substantially derogate from the intent
or purpose of the zoning ordinance.
3. The petitioner's lot size and coverage do not generally occur in the district and
are specific to their land.
4. A literal enforcement of the zoning ordinance would create a substantial
hardship to the petitioner.
5. In permitting such change, the Board of Appeals requires certain appropriate
conditions and safeguards as noted below.
In consideration of the above, the Salem Board of Appeals voted, five (5) in favor(Stein,
Pinto, Harris,Debski, Belair) and none (0) opposed, to grant the request for a variance,
subject to the following terms, conditions, and safeguards:
1. Petitioner shall comply with all city and state statutes, ordinances, codes and
regulations.
2. All requirements of the Salem Fire Department relative to smoke and fire
safety shall be strictly adhered to.
3. Petitioner shall obtain a building permit prior to beginning any construction.
4. Certificates of Occupancy are to be obtained.
5. Certificates of Inspection, as required, shall be obtained.
6. Petitioner shall obtain street numbering from the City of Salem Assessor's
Office and shall display said number so as to be visible from the street.
7. Petitioner is to obtain approval from any City Board or Commission having
jurisdiction including, but not limited to, the Planning Board.
8. The proposed new construction shall not exceed six stories or 65 feet in
height.
9. At least thirty-five percent (35%) of the dwelling units on the site shall be
marketed as affordable or below market rates.
10. That the principal use of the first floor of the new building be a municipal use
to include a Community Life Center.
11. That the former rectory and school buildings existing on the site shall be
reused in the proposed project. ��
sj,& 46°\
Robin Stein
Salem Zoning Board of Appeals
A COPY OF THIS DECISION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE CITY
CLERK
Appeal from this decision,if any,shall be made pursuant to Section 17 of the Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 40A,and shall be filed within 20 days of filing of this decision in the office of the City Clerk.
Pursuant to the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A,Section 11,the Variance or Special Permit
granted herein shall not take effect until a copy of the decision bearing the certificate of the City clerk that
20 days have elapsed and no appeal has been filed,or that,if such appeal has been filed,that it has been
dismissed or denied and is recorded in the South Essex Registry of Deeds and indexed under the name of
the owner of record or is recorded and noted on the owner's Certificate of Title.
N
O
O _l
cr l7
_ r-n
CP ATTEST .
t
'
CC.�. .➢1-s G o�-
�;<14d� 'G J> T
m-T
.0 v
s
Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development Decision
135 Lafayette Street.
September 14, 2006
Salem Lafayette Development, LLC
C/o Joseph Correnti, Esq. m �o
63 Federal Street
Salem,MA 01970 No
RE: 135 Lafayette Street/Former St. Joseph's Church site T 3
Site Plan Review/Planned Unit Development
N v
On Thursday,July 27,2006, the Planning Board of the City of Salem opened a Public,Hearing
under Sections 7-15 and 7-18 of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance, Planned Unit `
Development Special Permit and Site Plan Review, at the request of Salem Lafayette
Development,LLC, for the property located at 135 Lafayette Street. The proposed project
includes the razing of the former church and convent building, the renovation of the former
rectory and school buildings, and the construction of a new six-story building on the site. The
mixed-use development will include 97 units of housing and a Community Life Center.
Approximately thirty(30) units shall be rental units, and the approximately sixty-seven (67)
remaining units shall be condominiums. At least thirty-five (35)percent of the dwelling units on
the site shall be designated as affordable units. Hereinafter the term "Applicant" shall refer to the
Applicant, its successors or assigns.
The Public Hearing was continued to August 3, 2006, September 7, 2006 and closed on
September 7,2006. The Planning Board hereby finds that the proposed project meets the
provisions of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance,sec. 7-15 (g), as follows:
1) The proposed planned unit development is in harmony with the purpose and intent of this
ordinance and the master plan of the City of Salem and that it will promote the purpose of
this section.
2) The mixture of uses in the planned unit development is determined to be sufficiently
advantageous to render it appropriate to depart from the normal requirements of the
district. Specifically, the project incorporates a Community Life Center, as requested by
the City, and mixed income affordable housing providing substantial public benefit.
3) The planned unit development would not result in a net negative environmental impact.
Based on the information from the Environmental Impact Statement and plans, the
project will result in an increase in public recreational space,a decrease in peak
stormwater discharge rates and will improve the vacant site significantly from its current
condition.
At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board held on September 7, 2006,the Planning
Board voted by a vote of nine (9) in favor(Power,Moustakis, Collins, Kavanagh, Durand, Puleo,
Lombardini, Sullivan, Reidy), and none(0)opposed to approve the Site Plan Review and
Planned Unit Development application subject to the following conditions:
1. Conformance with the Plan
Work shall conform to the plans entitled, "St. Joseph's Redevelopment, Salem,
Massachusetts" Sheets C-1.1, 2.1, 3.1,4.1,4.2 and 4.3 and, prepared by Samiotes
Consultants, Inc., 10 Central Street,Framingham, MA 01701, dated June 14, 2005 with
revisions on July 17, 2006 and elevations submitted to the Planning Board at the September
7, 2006 meeting("the site plans"). Revised Plans reflecting all conditions and incorporating
by reference this decision must be submitted to and approved by the City Planner for
consistency with this decision prior to the issuance of a building pennit.
2. Amendments
Any amendments to the site plan shall be reviewed by the City Planner and if deemed
necessary by the City Planner, shall be brought to the Planning Board for review and
approval. Any waiver of conditions contained within shall require the approval of the
Planning Board.
3. Construction Practices
All construction shall be carried out in accordance with the following conditions:
a. Exterior construction work shall not be conducted between the hours of 5:00 PM and
8:00 AM the following day on weekdays and Saturdays or at any time on Sundays or
Holidays. Any interior work conducted during these times will not involve heavy machinery
which could generate disturbing noises.
b. All reasonable action shall be taken to minimize the negative effects of construction on
abutters. Advance notice shall be provided to all abutters in writing at least 72 hours prior to
commencement of construction of the project.
c. Drilling and blasting shall be limited to Monday-Friday between 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
There shall be no drilling or blasting on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. Blasting shall be
undertaken in accordance with all local and state regulations.
d. All construction vehicles shall he cleaned prior to leaving the site so that they do not
leave dirt and/or debris on surrounding roadways as they leave the site.
e. All construction shall be performed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the
Planning Board, and in accordance with any and all rules, regulations and ordinances of the
2
City of Salem.
f. All construction vehicles left overnight at the site, must be located completely on the site.
g. A Construction Management Plan and Construction Schedule shall be submitted by the
Applicant prior to the issuance of a building permit. Included in this plan, but not limited
to, shall be information regarding how the construction equipment will be stored, a
description of the construction staging area and its location in relation to the site, and
where the construction employees will park their vehicles. The plan and schedule shall be
submitted and approved by the City Planner prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
All storage of materials and equipment will be on site.
h. Special attention shall be paid by the developer to locate the statue of St. Joseph reported
to be buried on the site. If said statue is located, the Applicant shall work with the
Archdiocese of Boston to resolve its status, and if feasible, as determined by the City
Planner based on documentation from the Applicant to preserve it in accordance with the
requirements of the Archdiocese. A
4. Clerk of the Works
A Clerk of the Works shall be provided by the City, at the expense of the Applicant, its
successors or assigns, as is deemed necessary by the City Planner.
5. Traffic Mitigation
The Applicant agrees to contribute $20,000 toward a study/design of intersection and traffic
improvements at Lafayette Street. Such payment shall be made to the City upon the
Applicant's receipt of a building permit for the construction of the new building proposed for
the site.
6. Fire Department
All work shall comply with the requirements of the Salem Fire Department prior to the
issuance of any building permits.
7. Building Inspector
All work shall comply with the requirements of the Salem Building Inspector.
8. Zoning Board of Appeals
The terms of the Zoning Board of Appeals conditional approval for a height variance for the
site are incorporated into this decision, in their entirety.
9. Board of Health
a. The individual presenting the plan to the Board of Health must notify the Health Agent of
the name, address, and telephone number of the project (site) manager who will be on site
and directly responsible for the construction of the project.
b. If a DEP tracking number is issued for the site under the Massachusetts Contingency
Plan, no structure shall be constructed until the Licensed Site Professional responsible for
3
the site certifies that soil and ground water for the entire site meets the DEP standards for
the proposed use.
c. The developer shall adhere to the drainage plan as approved by the City Engineer.
d. The developer shall employ a licensed pesticide applicator to exterminate the area prior
to construction,demolition, and/or blasting and shall send a copy of the exterminator's
invoice to the Health Agent
e. The developer shall maintain the area free from rodents throughout construction.
f. The developer shall submit to the Health Agent a written plan for dust control and street
sweeping which will occur during construction.
g. The developer shall submit to the Health Agent a written plan for containment and
removal of debris, vegetative waste, and unacceptabie'excavation material generated
during demolition and/or construction.
h. The Fire Department must approve the plan regarding access for fire fighting.
i. Noise levels from the resultant establishment(s) generated by operations,including but
not limited to refrigeration and heating, shall not increase the broadband sound level by
more than 10 dB(A) above the ambient levels measured at the property line.
j. The developer shall disclose in writing to the Health Agent the origin of any fill material
needed for the project.
k. If a rock crusher is on site, a plan for placement of the crusher must be approved by the
Health Agent prior to placement and use.
I. Plans for food a establishment must be presented to the Health Agent and approved prior
to construction.
in. The resultant establishment(s) shall dispose of all waste materials resulting from its
operations in an environmentally sound manner as described to the Board of Health.
n. The developer shall notify the Health Agent when the project is complete for final
inspection and confirmation that above conditions have been met.
10. Utilities
a. Utility installation shall be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer prior to the
issuance of a Building Permit. All on site electrical utilities shall be located underground.
b. The Applicant shall clean the drain line on Dow Street downstream from the work site to
Salem St. preventing any debris from entering the downstream pipes.
4
11. Department of Public Services
The Applicant shall comply with all requirements of the Department of Public Services
12. Signage
Proposed signage shall be reviewed and approved by the City Planner and the Sign Review
Committee.
13. Lighting
a. No light shall cast a glare onto adjacent parcels or adjacent rights of way.
b. A final lighting plan shall be submitted to the City Planner for review and approval prior to
the issuance of a building permit.
c. After installation, lighting shall be reviewed and approved by the City Planner, prior to the
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
14. HVAC k
If an HVAC unit is located on the roof or site,it shall be visually screened. The method for
screening the unit shall be submitted to the City Planner for review and approval prior to
installation.
15.Lafayette Park
The Applicant its successors and assigns (if not defined in paragraph one) agrees to
contribute $1,500.00 per year to the City of Salem for the purpose of creating a fund for the
ongoing maintenance and upkeep of Lafayette Park. Such payment shall be made to the
Department of Planning and Community Development commencing upon the receipt of a
building permit for the construction of the new building proposed for the site and on June 1
of each year thereafter.
16. Landscaping
a. All landscaping shall be done in accordance with the approved set of plans, with the
following revision: the Applicant shall locate columnar trees along the perimeter of the
site where they believe they are most appropriate and shall submit a revised landscaping
plan reflecting this placement to the City Planner for review and approval, prior to the
issuance of a building permit.
b. Trees shall be a minimum diameter of 31/z" dbh (diameter breast height).
c. Maintenance of landscape vegetation shall be the responsibility of the Applicant, his
successors or assigns.
d. Any street trees removed as a result of construction shall be replaced.The location of any
replacement trees shall be approved by the City Planner prior to replanting.
5
e. Final completed landscaping, done in accordance with the approved set of plans, shall be
subject to approval by the City Planner prior, for consistency with such plans, to the
issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
f. Fencing shall be installed along the property line on Salem Street and directly abutting the
residences on Dow Street. The section of fencing along Salem Street shall be a four-foot
black industrial grade aluminum. The section of fencing along the residences along Dow
Street shall be wooden. Details and specifications for the fencing shall be submitted to the
City Planner for review and approval prior to the issuance of any building permits.
17. Maintenance
a.Refuse removal, ground maintenance and snow removal shall be the responsibility of the
Applicant, his successors or assigns.
b. Winter snow in excess of snow storage areas on the site shall be removed off site.
c. Maintenance of all landscaping shall be the responsibility of the Applicant. The Applicant,
his successors or assigns, shall guarantee all trees and shrubs for a two- (2) year period,from
issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy and completion of planting.
18. As-built Plans
As-built Plans, stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer, shall be submitted to the
Department of Planning and Community Development and Department of Public Services
prior to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
The As-Built plans shall be submitted to the City Engineer in electronic file format suitable
for the City's use and approved by the City Engineer,prior to the issuance of Certificates of
Occupancy.
A completed tie card, a blank copy (available at the Engineering Department) and a
certification signed and stamped by the design engineer, stating that the work was completed
in substantial compliance with the design drawing must be submitted to the City Engineer
prior to the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy; as well as, any subsequent requirements
by the City Engineer.
19. Building Materials
Illustrations of exterior building materials shall be submitted to the City Planer for approval
prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
20. Violations
Violations of any condition contained herein shall result in revocation of this permit by the
Planning Board, unless the violation of such condition is waived by a majority vote of the
Planning Board.
I hereby certify that a copy of this decision and plans has been filed with the City Clerk and
copies are on file with the Planning Board. The Special Permit shall not take effect until a copy
6
of this decision bearing the certification of the City Clerk that twenty (20) days have elapsed and
no appeal has been filed or that if such appeal has been filed,and it has been dismissed or
denied,is recorded in the Essex South Registry of Deeds and is indexed under the name of the
owner of record is recorded on the owner's Certificate of Title. The owner or applicant,his
successors or assigns, shall pay the fee for recording or registering.
Walter B Power,III.
Chairman
L
7
Part 1 The City Sea Trade Built
k
if
f
/
b
1
1 1
1
.�, "M�aS9'w'*reSOMa�YX•n<lro9H:9NIm4V'Cf 'IiA ���tl �. 1l S R La'S ,g'p t.r t dF t 3� d 4:ti s. y.
y' t� +moo bll II! i I .eMj^ 1 +�r++��•, J@ 1 �:�. "� i J f 4 - -....", t A.y�aW�„ 1$�d1'�'j
C��c r _—• 'F��. �� ..+-/'�—.��1 �M"+t' � �'V ■ G.L � � � ��lX rr,, .� �rJ. :.•#'--f#'''.7�.at�: 1� 'tl.'.
y71 1 '4a1,''` 5 ly' . .. •.."�n°i '° —5s., u....-, i�#1 '�_�', «� �`V.,�+.;;
Yl
r+i Fi {t 1 f�;,.►'
1 P fl'r7Afl ,,r
rk 4 d•Ai � . � t �' dtit i" �:1' 1 � r5 # flC 1 � CP� n..: .'`�� tbA�I n •trw�
k
Yt`C!} f .j� ` (L I �� la
�Ir '1
pp f .,(,• " r V k I(sir t ?... g1I� t �• 1111yJ F r. i I 3�J� t I �r i I!.k U
' nell t•�'. Pi �1� �t .f���� 1 .
r :-ti. 4, C4r1 r. l9f�MIT
��•l �,k�� �. . '"- � '. #xr,�
• . . 4 ^� •.. T I - J. i{ n�1.Gf6^ ! P� MiDI�[Cyy�./{-{ ••�
EAU- D
outlaw
• d It •
�1StO11Ctt •
�Nlem P.O. Box 865
incorporated Salem, MA 01970
Telephone: (978) 745-0799
July 26, 2006 BY HAND
Mr.Walter Power
Chairman,Planning Board
City of Salem
Salem,MA 01970
Dear Mr. Chairman and members of the Planning Board:
This letter presents the issues that Historic Salem has identified to date with regard to the planned
development at the St.Joseph's Church site.
Historical Significance
The St.Joseph's complex is important because of its association with Salem's cultural and religiobs
history. The church building is also the only Salem example of what is known as the"International Style"
and its interior is one of the few remaining monumental spaces in non-religious use in Salem. The report
commissioned by the City of Salem's Planning Department states that the site is probably eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places because of the significance of the church and the
Rectory. Subsequently, the Massachusetts Historic Commission commissioned a study by a qualified
professional preservation consultant who also asserts that the complex is eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places. Thus, the statement in the submission to the Planning Board that"The
proposed development does not include any historic buildings,historic site or archeological site"is
incorrect.
In addition,others in the community have noted that the site may have has archeological artifacts of
historical interest and/or importance.
Economics of Re-Use
As an historic preservation organization,Historic Salem strongly prefers to see the church building reused.
The developer, the Archdiocese's Planning Office of Urban Affairs(POUA)has provided us with some of
their analysis about the feasibility of reuse,but it is not enough,information for us to determine that it is
economically infeasible to incorporate elements of their planned program into the church building.
Opportunity to Significantly Improve Site Design and Building Fabric
We believe that in light of the site's location on a pivotal gateway to the City, the potential demolition of a
National Register eligible building, and the proximity to the Point neighborhood,currently the subject of an
historic buildings survey, that the community should require that any new construction to be of excellent
design and quality.
As to the issue of integrating new development into the existing historic urban fabric, and specifically as to
the current proposal, while we are pleased to see the rectory building being reused, we find that the
proposed design for the site could be substantially improved. What is proposed is essentially one large
Fax: (978) 744-4536 • Email: hsi@nii.net • Web: http://www.historicsalem.org/
.rl
building with the remainder of the site taken up by parking to the very edge of the property. It is also not in
scale with the Point neighborhood which surrounds it on three sides.
Recommendations
• Design
We have suggested in several meetings with POUA that they reduce the height of the new building
proposed to be built on the site and put smaller scale buildings around the edge of the site,perhaps
townhouses. Lower rise buildings around the edge of the site would relate more to the immediate
neighborhood and provide a visual shield for the large area of parking which will be primarily viewed from
the Point neighborhood. We are also concerned with the precedent set by increasing the height of buildings
beyond that allowed by zoning,particularly if such an increase is not offset by the highest level of urban
contextual design.
• Design Review
Salem is faced with numerous challenges of how to handle proposed large complexes in our historic
downtown,including the recently proposed development of the Salem Marketplace. These require that a
great deal of thought and consideration be given to urban design issues.
In response to these challenges,Historic Salem recently added as Potentially Endangered the sense of scale
in Downtown Salem. We appreciate the amount of effort that POUA has invested in addressing other
community needs, including in particular affordable housing and community space. However, we feel that
the urban design issues of this site has not been adequately addressed and certainly deserves the same
attention as the City is providing for other very large sites with such a significant impact on a neighborhood
and on Salem's downtown.
We urge the Planning Board to consider requiring modifications in the site and building design to be more
complementary to the existing urban fabric. Historic Salem would be happy to work with the developer to
make more specific recommendations for the project. We also recommend that the Planning Board
consider seeking the counsel of the Design Review Board to the design of the site and building fabric.
Sincerely, �A
Barbara A. ClearyY\
Bar `\l\
President
Mayor Kimberly Driscoll
Lynn Duncan,City Planner
Councillor Lucy Corchado
Council President Jean Pelletier
onna Vinson,Vice President, HSI
Kimberly Alexander, Vice President,HSI
~�
August 18,2006
Mr. Walter Power Ms.Nina Cohen
Chair, Planning Board Chair,Zoning Board of Appeals
City of Salem City of Salem
Salem,MA 01970 Salem,MA 01970
Re: Proposed Development at St.Joseph's Site
Dear Chairmen Power and Cohen:
I will not be able to attend the upcoming meetings on the proposal for the St. Joseph's site,but wanted to convey
my thoughts to you and to your fellow board members. The proposal is complex enough and the issues broad
enough that I have taken the liberty of writing one letter, even though some issues or concerns pertain only to one
Board's jurisdiction.
Like others,I congratulate the developers and the City on the concepts that they have brought forward, and on the
several buildings on the site that they propose for re-use. However,I believe there are significant issues of scale
and unresolved questions around the proposed development at this site that make your jobs very;difficult.
Like others, I also support the goals of more affordable housing for Salem and believe that that the community
center idea is promising. However,I do not believe that the Planning Board has the information needed to be able
to act on the community center proposal since users,uses,hours, and parking are not sufficiently defined.
Similarly, site parking and area traffic problems have been identified with no clear solution, and there is no clear
presentation of how the City will fund the community center. I believe that you are being asked to make
decisions with too little information to be able to review,refine and approve a project that both meets the laudable
4.goals of the project and.is an excellent project for Salem.
I urge both the Planning Board and the ZBA to work with the Planning Department to take the time you need to
ensure that the project is the best that we can do for Salem. Whatever decisions are made here will be here for 50
years and will have a major impact on the Point, South Salem and on the downtown. Further, the proposal calls
for demolition of a significant Salem landmark.
At 2.4-2.6 acres and with its prominent location at the intersection of Salem's downtown,the Point and South
Salem, I believe this site deserves the same consideration that has been given to the Market Place proposal.
Having a unified review of the project in the same fashion as the Market Place proposal would seem particularly
helpful. Instead, the current piece meal approach brings separate but related issues before each of Salem's boards
in an effort to move the permitting process forward too quickly.
St.Joseph's Church
I believe that St. Joseph's Church should be re-used. I urge the Planning Board to take a much stronger look at
this issue. Every time we have taken down a major landmark, like the Salem train station, we have deeply
regretted it later. The church building proposed for destruction is National Register eligible and adjoins the
National Register eligible Point Neighborhood. It requires a 106 review. A waiver for demolition delay is before
the Historical Commission. I urge you to communicate with the Historical Commission to ensure that all the
steps recommended by Historic Salem are taken before you take any action which will result in demolition of the
church or that might nullify a 106 review process which will benefit the City and the project. The proposed
replacement proposed, while brick, looks like many another building found anywhere in the US and provides no
distinction or reflection of Salem's character while adding a mass which is out of scale with the neighborhood.
1
Density/Height
These are critical issues for both the Planning and the Zoning Boards to address.
In this R-3 neighborhood,under current zoning,only approximately 30 units are allowed. The proposal for this
site is 97 units, which is far too dense. The result is:
• A tall and massive new building that is out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood and will be highly
visible throughout downtown Salem, dominating Salem's sky line to our detriment;
• An enormous parking field which faces the Point neighborhood and appears to be quite inadequate for its
intended uses;
• No green space for the 60 children expected by the developer in the housing units;
• Design issues of appearance,character, material and looming, out of scale character on the street; and
• Significant traffic issues.
Both the building and the intended density are out of scale for the surrounding neighborhood:
• I recommend that,should the Planning Board decide to grant a PUD,you approve no more than 60 units.
• I also recommend that the Zoning Board of Appeals approve a height of the proposed new building of no
more than 3 stories.
These decisions will allow the scale of the new building and its height to be more compatible with the
neighborhood-and will not create an unwanted precedent in the neighborhood of six story buildings. Such a
reduction in density and height should also allow for green space, more appropriate parking for the housing and
community center,less traffic impact and a building design more in keeping with Salem.
I hope the Planning Board will take HSI's recommendation that townhouses be placed around the perimeter of the
site on the neighborhood side to reduce the size of the new large building, to shield the neighborhood from the
parking field,and so that the scale of the development facing the Point is more in keeping with the houses around
it.
I believe that there is no basis for the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant a variance for height at this site since
there is no hardship as defined by the ordinance. Further,granting a variance creates a dangerous precedent for
South Salem and the Point.
Site Plan and Design
In addition to the issues already mentioned above,the building design could be Anywhere USA. It looks like
Watertown, not Salem. I hope the Planning Board will seek the counsel of the Design Review Board(DRB) for
the site plan and particularly the design of the proposed new building, as well as for specification of building
materials.
The parking plan is unrealistic and will have a very negative effect on the Point and on traffic into Salem from
Lafayette Street. It will also have a negative impact on the desirability and usability of the community center for
all of Salem. No traffic studies have been presented to date.
Materials
It is important, if either or both of the Boards act in the affirmative, that each Board specify building materials of
high quality and in some detail so that no one is surprised by the resulting quality of the new building. This is
particularly important given the height and prominence of the site itself and of the new building at the
intersection of Salem's downtown, the Point and South Salem neighborhoods.
2
Questions regarding the PUD and Conditions for both the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
Given the uncertainty regarding financing for the community center, I question whether it is appropriate to grant a
PUD at this time, since a PUD would not be allowed solely for the housing proposal.
Since the basis for allowing a PUD is mixed use,I urge the Planning Board to make the granting of a PUD
conditional on securing financing for both the developer's project and the City's community center, as well as
City Council approval, and to place whatever other restrictions might be appropriate so that the site is not
permitted and then"flipped" in the event the project or the community center are not funded.
I urge the Zoning Board to put similar conditions on any approval you may grant. I am especially concerned that
if a 6 story building is allowed on this site,it will establish an unwanted precedent which will be destructive of the
fabric of the area and neighborhoods that adjoin this site.
Summary
This is a very difficult project for the Planning and Zoning Boards to act on given the unresolved issues. I hope
you will take your time and consider ways in which this project can be improved before any approvals are
granted. Unresolved issues identified to date include:
• Re-use of the St.Joseph's building in the new project
• Destruction of a Salem landmark; ensuring a timely 106 review for St.Joseph's Church
• Mitigation for loss of this historic property, should it be lost
• Height and density
• Inadequate parking
• Traffic issues with no plan to resolve those concerns
• Green space on the site for the residents and their children
• Mass and quality of design and materials to ensure they are compatible with Salem and the surrounding area
and neighborhood.
• Impact of a project of this magnitude on Salem in such a prominent, geographically high and crucial location
in Salem
I hope that you can find a way to give the same kind of thought and review to this large project that has been
given to the Market Place project before it even has come before Salem's boards. Certainly I hope you will draw
on the principals established in the Market Place study for design. In addition to seeking DRB review, the
Planning Board may wish to consider hiring a consultant,as the City did for the Market Place proposal, to assist
you in your review process. There is a great opportunity here to do a project that will benefit Salem—and an
equal opportunity to allow one that will instead be damaging for years to come.
Sincerely,
Meg Twohey Cc:
122 Federal Street Mayor Kimberly Driscoll
Salem,MA 01970 City Planner Lynn Duncan
Salem City Councillors
Chair,Salem Historical Commission
President, Historic Salem, Inc.
3
ffgDel I brook
CONSTRUCTION
One Adams Place,859 Willard Street,Quincy,MA 02169
www.dellbrook.com
Stott MacLeod
Sr.Project Manager
M:781.380.1675
C:617.828.2630
D:781.380.1646
F:781.380.1676
E:smacleodddellbrook.com
ST. JOSEPH'S REDEVELOPMENT
DVD-R 16x `.
ation = 4.7G8, 2 hr
w
AS-BUILT
{