1958-PLANNING BOARD A meeting of the Salem Planning Board was held March 20 1958
at 8 P. M. in the council chamber to discuss urban renewal and sub-
division control.
The session was attended by Mayor Francis X. Collins, City
Councillors; John H. Burke , James W. Dolan, Philip L. Morency, John J.
Twarog, Kevin B. Harrington, John B. Harrington, John R. Serafini,
Thaddeus Buczko, George W. Marquis and, Samuel E. Zoll; City Engineer,
Edgar W. Nickerson; Building Inspector, John J. O'Rourke ; Health Board
Chairman, Dr. Israel Kaplan; City Solicitor, Alfred A. Dobrosielski;
Planning Board Members, Peter C. Malkowski and Daniel J. O'Brien, Jr. 401W
Frank Adams, Chamber of Commerce executive secretary and Wallace Williams ,
tunnel project co-ordinator.
Mrs. Clara LeGace, regional director of the Massachusetts
• Federation of Planning Boards and Myron Lamb, Gloucester City Planner
were guest speakers introduced by Louis E. Baker, Chairman* of the
Planning Board.
Mrs. LeGace spoke briefly y pointing out that Salem and
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Gloucester are the only cities who do not have sub-division controls.
Mr. Lamb elaborated to a great extent on city planning
referring to it as not only a necessity but an imperative need. He
stated that most of the areas within us are so over-crowded that
something must be done to alleviate the congestion. Old buildings are
no longer of the character to satisfy our needs. Our standards have
changed. What we want in a house, what we want in an office building
are no longer the same . He pointed out that in the central part of the
city there are many residential areas which have seen far better days
insomuch as they have tended to fall into the category of slums, which
he defined as areas in which living conditions are not desirable to large
families and buildings are showing definite signs of decay and
overcrowding.
• If the people of Salem are willing to do something about correcting
present conditions he recommended using the local paper as a beginning;
secondly, if a community wants Government help in such a program, the
Government will pay two-thirds of the cost.
Further study into the structures of older type buildings can
be found in city records which are available to the public . Various
statistics which will be of assistance may be found in the board of
health, assessors, street and water department offices.
Mr. Lamb feels that if an interest in .Urban Renewal and
Sub-division control is shown by the mayor, the council and the
d
citizens, plans should begin now, for such a program will be for the
benefit of everybody. .
As previously stated, Government help is available providing
• citizens themselves are willing to do their share.
In conclusion, Mr. Lamb conducted a question and answer
period where several aspects of Urban Renewal in our particular city
were discussed.
The meeting also included a brief summation by Mr. Wallace
Williams of the work completed to bate on the tunnel.
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June 13, 1958
Mr. Thomas J. Creehan,
Director of Civil Service,
State House,
Boston 33, Masse
Dear Sirs
The only paid employee of the Salem Planning Board
is L. Mabel Curtis, part-time clerk, date of seniority- about
1922 (as established by your department in 1946, file #454681) .
This Board is established under the provisions of the
Ordinances of the City of Salem,Chapter 2, Section 141.
This statement is made under the penalties of
perjury.
Chairman
A meeting of the Planning Board was held on November 16, 1958,
iat 7 .20 P . Iv . All the members were present, including Mr . James J.
Muse, appointed to succeed Mr. Merrill, deceased. Also present
was Mr. Wallace Williams, coordinator of the tunnel project, and
the Building Inspector, Mr. John J. O' Rourke .
Mr. Baker presided and asked Mr. Williams for a report of
progress. Mr. Williams said that the grade crossing elimination
and tunnel project was 95 , completed and that the Washington Street
area from Lynde Street to Norman Street would be ready for use in
time for Christmas shopping, also the parking area would be
available . It would take three weeks longer to finish the
Church, Lynde and Federal Streets area. He said the raidening of
Canal Street was a job in itself, with a retaining wall the whole
length and a sidewalk to the end of the project. The entrance to
the pedestrian overhead bridge at the new railroad station was
being built. The contractor was working overtime, at no additional
compensation, and with good weather progress should. continue. In
answer to questions, Mr. Williams said that the work to be finished
before Christmas did not include loaming, seeding and landscaping
and the last hot-top, which would be delayed to allow for settling .
The gasoline station at Mill Hill would be out of business as there
,mould not be land enough. A light would be needed at the ,function
of Canal Street and Washington Street and the State plans to
finish the curve on Mill Hill as planned. There will be three
entrances to the parking space, the City to regulate parking there.
There was a general discussion of eliminating parking meters
or
in the Washington Street area,/changing them to two-hour meters,
• also the charge for all-day parking in the parking space.
Mr. O' Rourke said that Salem was as well provided with parking places
as any city in the State.
On motion of Mr. Gray, it was voted to make the following
s
recommendation to the City Council :
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XXXXXXx XXXXXXXXXX7f X
James J. Muse November 24, 1958
To the Honorable City Council,
Salem, Gass.
Dear Sirs:
The Planning Hoard, having had the question of off-
street parking tLh residential areas under consideration for
some time and having held a public hearing on the same, respect-
fully recommend the adoption of the following amendment to the
Zoning Ordinance:
"Section 11 of the Zoning Ordinance is hereby striken
out and the following new Section 11 substituted in place thereof:
11in historical, single residence, general residence and apartment
house districts, one off-street parking space with access to same
shall be installed for each dwelling unit or apartment unit.
Each parking space shall be at least ten feet wide by twenty feet
long with street access to the parking space or spaces at least
ten feet wide. No other use may be made of any parking spaces
and acc„„p�sn to same in any district, unless the dwelling units vh ich
1KIIA Nare eliminated, If existing buildings are altered or
added to, so as to increase the number of dwelling units, the
number of off-street parking areas shall be increased proportionately.
Any garage on the lot or included, in the dwelling unit shall be
considered a parking apace for the purposes of this section. The
provisions of this section shall not apply to hotels or lodging-
houses, so-Called. "
Respectfully submitted,
Chairman
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Mr. Baker spoke of the death of Mr. Edward J. Merrill, a member
• of the Board since 1940 and for many years its Secretary, and he called
for nominations for a. Secretary.
Mr. Gray nominated Mr. Daniel J. O'Brien, Jr. , there were no
further nominations and Mr. O'Brien was unanimously elected as
Secretary.
On motion of Mr. Gray, the meeting adjourned at 10.30 p. m.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
James J. Muse November 24, 1958
To the Honorable City Council,
Salem, Unss.
Dear Sire:
The planning Board, having had the question of off-
street parking Ah residential areas under consideration for
fullytrecommendathe adoptionpoflthehfollowing amendment tosthetM
Zoning ordinances
"Section 11 of the Zonit,g ordinance is hereby striken
out and the following new Section 11 substituted in place thereof:
"In historical, single residence, general residence end apartment
house districts, one off-street parking space with access to store
shall be installed for each dwelling unit or apartment unit.
Each parking space shall be at least ton feet aide by twenty feet
long with otreet access to the parking space or spaces at least
ton .Feet wide. 2io other us* may be made of any parking spaces
andacce s to same in any district, unless the dwelling units Thich
ai%x are elim.'.natede If existing buildings are altered or
added to, so as to increase the number of dwelling units, the
number of off-streot Harking areas shall be increased proportionately, _
Any garage on the lot or included in the dwelling unit shall be
considered a parking space for the purposes of this section. The
provisions of this section shall trot OPp17 to hotels or lodging-
1,.ouses9 so-called,"
Respectfully submitted:
Chaim M►
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A meeting of the Planning Board was held on November 24, 1958
at 8 P. M. All the members were present except Mr. Gray and Mr.
Baker presided. Also present was the Building Inspector, Mr. John J
O'Rourke, and the City Solicitor
There was some discussion of a proposed amendment to Section 48
of the Building Ordinance, making certain provisions to set buildings
back from lot lines. The matter was referred to Mr. Gray, the
Building Inspector and the City Solicitor for further consideration.
Mr. Baker suggested that the Board asazme the expense, about
6200.00, of printing a fact-finding survey prepared by the Chamber
of Commerce to show economic, industrial and commercial resources
of the City, with population, assets, etc. After some discussion,
Mr. Baker said he would invite a. representative of the Chamber of
Commerce to attend the next meeting of the Board and give further
information on this survey.
Mr. Muse said he would recommend that the Board consider and
discuss the development of the Derby Street flats by filling from
the present industrial zone to Derby Wharf, for the use of ship
docks and warehouses.
On motion of Mr. Muse, the meeting adjourned at 9.15 p. m.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
RIYORT of TER PLANNING SOAHD
Fon 1958
To His Nonor the Mayor and
Members- of the City Councils
Gentlemen:
The closing days of the year 1968 brought the final phase
of the grade crossing elimination and tunnel project practically
to completion, For many long months the horsiness center of the
City and all its activities had been completely disrupted, but
"ashington Street from Lgnde Street to Norman Street was opened to
traffic in time to accomodate Christmas shoppers and little remained
to be done in that area except for the last cont of hot-top and
certain landscaping which could not be completed until spring.
he This tremendous aver-all project, providing for the elimination of
four grade crossings, the depression of they tuzml removal of the
old railroad station and erection of a new station at a new location,
has been endorsed and recommended by Planning Boards for the past
forty years. After the first part of the project finally got under
way, progress was interrupted by World War II. It has taken a long
time and a great deal of effort and money to bring aboutcthies fine
improvement in the business center of the city, which not only
- eliminates four very dangerous grade crossings, but expedites the
flow of traffic through a previously congested area and provides
a substantial Increase in parking places. The Planning Hoard Is
justifiably proud of the part it has played in helping to accomplish
this.
}` The Board has had the matter of off-street parking In
residential areas under consideration for swe time and recommended
to the City Council an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance (section 11)
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. Which mould provide that in historical,. single resideneop general
residence and apartment house districts, one off-stream parking space
with aecess to same be installed for each dwelling unit or apartment unit,
each parking space to be at least ten feet wide by twenty feet lona with
street access to the parking space or spaeea at least ten feet wide.
The amendment further provided that no other use should be made of any
such parking spaces and access to the acme in any district unless the
dwelling units which they serve should be eliminated, and if an existing
building should be altered or added to, so as to increase the number of
dwelling units, the number of off-street parking areas should be increased
proportionately. .any garage on the lot or included in the dwelling unit
would be considered a parking space,. but all these provisions would not
spply to hotels or lodging houses.
A sweeting was conducted by the Hoard, which was attended by
the Mayors, members of the City Council„ City Officers and others, to discuss
urban renewal and subdivision R=kmk control. firs. Clara Lagazce, regional
director of the Massachusetts Federation of planning Hoaards, and Myron Lamb.
Planner for the City of Gloucester, were the guest speakers..
The Board is now considering the ,possibilities of a waterfront
development along Derby Street, west of the existing industrial zone at
the power plant, by filling tide 1rnde and building docks and warehouses.
It is with deep regret that the Board records the loss of one
of its members in the death of Mr, I.dwaard E. Merrill. ter. Merrill had been
a member since 1940 and was Secretary of the Board for many years. He has
been succeeded by Mr. Jamos J. Muse.
Respectfully sabmitted,