Loading...
57 LORING AVENUE - ZBA _ � � c� /� , � lac"BORFr°O19 ,P,°n June 2, 1999 0 Ms. Nina V. Cohen Zoning Board of Appeals City of Salem Salem, MA 01970 Dear Ms. Cohen: Representatives of the South Salem Neighborhood Association (SSNA) have met with Ward 7 Councilor Mark E. Blair and subsequently with Mr. Paul Valaskagis and his legal representative, Joseph Correnti, Esq., in regard to the Valaskagises' fulfillment of the three unmet conditions for the zoning variance for 57 Loring Avenue. We note that the property owners are themselves fellow residents of South Salem. As they obviously accepted the Zoning Board's conditions before constructing the building, the neighbors expect the Valaskagises to honor their commitment to comply with them. The SSNA strongly believes that all of the original variance conditions must be met. Moreover,because this property fronts a major entrance corridor to the city of Salem, we ask that all of the conditions be met as soon as possible and before the end of 1999. At the outset, it is important that the Zoning Board of Appeals learns that the building at 57 Loring Avenue has been constructed 5 feet closer to the street than the original 1983 site plan proposed. Also, at present, the entire front of this property acts as one long curb cut. Cars enter and exit the parking lot anywhere and everywhere along its Loring Avenue frontage. This results in a compelling safety issue, particularly for pedestrians, large numbers of whom are young children who walk to the nearby Horace Mann Elementary School and Boys & Girls Clubs facility. We believe that the 5-foot loss of depth at the front of the property limits options for providing a safety barrier for pedestrians between the parking lot and city sidewalk. Following a number of discussions about all of these issues at the SSNA's regular monthly meetings and the above-mentioned two meetings at the site, the SSNA recommends the following: 1. Solid wooden fencing to a height of 4 feet (to include the retaining wall at the northern edge of the property), along both sides of the property to meet with 6-foot high solid wooden fencing at the rear property line. 2. Two curb cuts to the parking lot: One at the far southern and one at the northernmost end of the parking lot: the southern one marked "Entrance Only", and the northern, "Exit Only". 3. Continuous rectangular planter -- 2 feet wide and 2 feet high -- running between the entrance and exit curb cuts and along the sidewalk edge of the parking lot, planted with attractive perennial greens. 4. Parking lot re-lined for diagonal parking spaces, with the spaces angled toward the entrance curb cut. 5. Attractive planters and trash containers along the solid brick wall portions of the front of the building. Planters should be placed specially to screen the utility meters at the far left side of the front of the building. cont. Ms. Nina V. Cohen Zoning Board of Appeals June 2, 1999 Page 2 6. Ongoing commitment by the owner of 57 Loring Avenue to keep the property attractive, all plantings well maintained, and the parking lot clear of litter. It is also suggested that a small handicapped accessible ramp accommodation be added to the building's front sidewalk as the parking lot work is being completed. The designated entrance and exit and the planter along the front property line are essential for pedestrian safety. Because the parking lot is 5 feet narrower than had been proposed in the original plan, we would strongly oppose any proposal for a single entrance at the center of the parking lot. A separate entrance at the southern end of the parking lot and an exit at the northern comer will most safely direct the flow of vehicles in and out of the parking lot. The property owner would also be better served by requiring that the employees of the property's tenants park at the rear of the building rather than in the front or on the sides, as they are doing now. Please note that the SSNA has taken into account the Valaskagises' ability to have the property plowed of snow in the winter and viable access for truck deliveries to the building's tenants. For the property owners to attempt to limit or to comply minimally with these conditions will be a further affront to the South Salem neighborhood, which has already experienced 15 years of non-compliance with these long ago agreed to Zoning Board requirements. Therefore, we ask for the Zoning Board of Appeals' diligence in ensuring the Valakagises' full compliance. A member of the SSNA will attend the June 16, 1999 meeting of the Board at which this subject is to be re-addressed. If possible, we would appreciate this item's being covered earlier in the Board's agenda than was possible previously. Sincerely, Mary Ramsay Wilbert Recording Secretary South Salem Neighborhood Association Correspondent's Address: 7 Cedar Street, Salem, MA 01970 cc: Mr. Mark E. Blair Councilor, Ward 7 Mr. William A. Kelley Councilor, Ward 5 Peter Strout Building Inspectors Office One Salem Green Salem, MA.V 1970 Peter I am writing this letter to inform you of the situation at 57 Loring Ave. I am hearing murmurs like how come this project is not done. Does Arthur Valaskatgis intend on doing what he is suppose to do at this location & so on. Yes he intends on doing what he is obligated to do. It has been a real challenge to get someone committed to do this work. Every contractor I have contacted is so busy no one will commit to me. Our last conversation I think I told you I had someone to do this work but since that time I have not heard from him & he has not responded to my phone calls. In the meantime I have contacted several other contractors but they are just so busy they do not want the work. In response to all of this knowing the importance of getting this work done I have got Norman c/o Atlantic Paving to assure me that he can complete this project for me after some begging & pleading. Norman can not pin point a completion date but assures me he will take care of it, hopefully by mid November. Sony for the delay in this matter, but I do assure you it has not been overlooked. Sincerely Paul Valaskatgis 24 Gables Circle Salem, MA. 01970 978-744-2621 (home) 978-741-8729 ext.133 (work) i i i i