Conference 7.286::maynard

< Note 86.0 by SAGE::DERAMO >
                             -< Maynard Eyesores >-

    I agree with you. They are eye sores!                                                           
                                                           

    Ditto.....
    
        I think it comes back to who you know, and how much it will
    cost to get the variances (if you know what I mean), not only
    an eyesore, but I certainly believe it was done illegally although
    I'm not going to start anything over it.  Just an opinion, not
    a libel statement.
    
                          Mark
    

    I feel the same way unfortunately there is not much the zba or planning
    board can do about appearances. If the builder meets of the requiremnts
    and not abbutters complian about it, he get an ok to build. Even
    if the zba said no the state wil say yes
    

    ...and what about that apartment bld right across the street from
    the main street parking lot, next to the Sit 'n Bull.  It is a gross
    yellow color!  YUCK!
    
    But!  They are in the process of fixing up the apartments behind
    the post office......
    
    Linda 

re .4:

>    ...and what about that apartment bld right across the street from
>    the main street parking lot, next to the Sit 'n Bull.  It is a gross
>    yellow color!  YUCK!

That building may be ugly, but before you start a petition to have it torn
down, you may be interested in knowing that that building is the original
Mill building, and is older than the rest of the Mill.

-Mike

    
    
   
    No petition being started here.

    
    Gee, for a minute...I thought you were going to say you lived there!!
    
    

    You gotta understand.....Maynard is a small town and unfortunately
    certain builders/developers can get away with building eyesores
    or junk like that because their relatives/brother-in-laws/buddies
    ARE on the planning boards or building commitees, etc. Being a townie
    I see this all the time and there nothing anyone can do about it...
    
    But if the average home owner wants to build an addition or deck
    or something simple they give you alot of sh** about it and make
    you jump through hoops to get it approved......
    
    
    my $.02

Just to balance the discussion:  I'm an average Maynard homeowner, and I
went before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a lot line variance a couple of
years ago.  Certainly there were red tape and lots of waiting involved, but
no more so than any bureaucratic procedure.  I found the Board members to
be knowledgeable and reasonable.  And I'm not even related to any of them :-).

They need to be careful to follow the proper legal procedures; since
there's so much money involved, expensive lawsuits against the town are
sure to follow any improper actions they may take.  I expected bored
bureaucrats, and was pleasantly surprised when I found them to be genuinely
interested in maintaining the neighborhood's character and the neighbors'
property values.

I'd like to add my 2 cents also.  Everytime there has been a new 
construction or major change in the properties surrounding our
property, we received a letter from the zoning board to be present
at the meetings.  

- Linda

re: -.1

What was the purpose/intent of you being present during zoning board meetings?
Was it to voice any concerns or reservations you might have regarding the
intended construction in your neighborhood?  Have you attended any meetings,
and if so, did you feel it was worth your while?  (i.e., did it do you any
good?)

Kip

Sorry, I should have elaborated a bit more.  

I was just trying to say that residents/businesses can't just go and slap a 
building up without the neighbors being involved in the process.  At 
least the ones who are adjacent to the construction.   Yes, the meetings
are to voice concerns, etc.  

I have not attended these meetings mainly because I've 
never been overly concerned with the new buildings or business.   
Unless it's something totally outrageous or may cause injury, 
I feel people should do what they want with their property.  
(That's my personal opinion, I'm not trying to get on a soapbox)

But, in regards to a construction behind my house, one of my neighbors
was concerned about right of way to park their car.  Their driveway
is behind the house and access would have to be thru the business 
parking lot.  They attended the meeting and apparently made out well.   
At least I haven't heard anything to the contrary.  (News travels fast
in my neighborhood.)

- Linda

    I've received a notice from the Zoning board, and have attended
    a meeting.   I'm sure the circumstances change from case to case,
    so people may have more sway than we did.
    
    In my case, a neighbor wanted to sell a very small field and have
    it rezoned as a building lot.  The other neighbors felt that the
    resulting building would not fit the character of the neighborhood,
    that it would look "odd" forced in there sideways (which they would
    have to do to make the house fit), etc.  The developer was there
    with all the pretty drawings and invitations to see similar houses.
    
    The primary issue for this case was the lot size - not the affect
    of the building on the area - and the variance was denied on these
    grounds.  Still, the board spokesman said that the voicing of our
    dismay at the situation was not overlooked in their decision-making.
    
    An interesting experience...
    
    - dave

    These things vary from case to case.  In our neighborhood, we have
    a house accross the street that's on a large lot.  The person who
    owns the house used to live there, but moved away and made it into
    a rental property.
    
    After several years, he decided to subdivide the lot into two so
    that he could build a new house for additional rental income.  Although
    everybody living on the street was against the rezoning, and although
    we raised points about possible public safety (parking conditions
    might preclude adequate fire protection for homes at the end of
    the [dead-end] street), it made no difference.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.