January 8, 2008
To: Town of Hopkinton-Planning Board,
As 2007 drew to a close, and most of us were occupied by holiday
commitments and family gatherings, the town zoning advisory committee
held a meeting to discuss a proposed zoning change on Hayward Street
from a residential to a business zone. This proposal entails several
parcels, totaling 2.4 acres and would make way for the construction of a
2-story, 19,500 S.F. building with retail on the 1st floor and office
space on the 2nd floor, 35 feet in height and parking for 78 vehicles.
Although this proposed change in zoning will clearly have a dramatic
impact on our neighborhood, lake residents received minimal
notification. The Lake Maspenock Preservation Association executive
board members found out on the day of the meeting (12/18) by a chance
phone call and unfortunately only one of our e-board members was able to
attend that evening and voice a few strong words of protest.
At that December 18th meeting the zoning advisory committee voted to
recommend this zoning change. This recommendation has been forwarded to
your board for additional discussion and review with an article being
placed on the next Town meeting warrant if viewed favorably by your
board. The planning board needs to understand that the LMPA and
residents of this neighborhood are STRONGLY opposed to this proposal
which is nothing more than "zoning creep." The proponent, Ken Webber,
suggested that the area is really no longer a neighborhood; well,
hundreds of the neighbors think otherwise!
Town plans continually overlook the impact development will have on this
residential and ecologically fragile area. Our neighborhood is becoming
smaller and smaller, getting squeezed by proposed building projects,
most of which will adversely affect the lake environment. We have
problems enough with toxic run-off into the lake, the proposed removal
of tall trees (which act as sound and electric light shields), etc.,
without further development in the area. This is not the first time
rezoning has been contemplated in this area. When 52 South St. was
developed a number of residential properties along South St. and Hayward
St. were purchased by EMC in recognition of how their building
negatively impacted these homes. There was discussion at that time to
rezone these parcels so that an entrance to 52 South St. could be placed
on Hayward St. The LMPA and residents voiced their opposition to that,
recognizing the huge impact in terms of traffic and aesthetics it would
create. These lots remain as open space, acting as a buffer separating
the industrial development and the neighborhood and enhancing the
entryway into the lake area. In addition, one of the homes purchased by
EMC was relocated further down Hayward St, not far from this new
proposal, and is a shining example of the Town/Businesses/Resident
Volunteers creating affordable housing.
As you know, we already have trash issues on the streets and on Sandy
Beach. Employees of area businesses, who do not have an investment in
the area, already drive through our streets, near where children are
playing and our residents are out walking or jogging, and they often
don't think twice about speeding or throwing trash out the windows (if
in doubt, take a look at the trash collection on the sides of the West
Main Street causeway). This kind of blatant disregard for our home
environment will only increase with another retail development. The
already-approved, new development at West Main St./South St. promises to
further congest an already overburdened intersection. Undoubtedly
patrons and employees of the proposed Hayward St. development would use
narrow Downey St. and the lower part of Hayward St. for access to avoid
the traffic. In addition, if this zoning change receives final approval
it will open the door for zoning changes to continue to move further
down Hayward Street.
In closing we would like to make it clear to the planning board how
strongly we oppose this rezoning and would hope that our message results
in a negative review by your board. We hope that the planning board will
recognize the potential adverse impacts of this zoning change and will
choose not to sponsor an article in favor of this proposal.
Respectfully Submitted:
The Lake Maspenock Preservation Association Executive Board
WWW.LMPA.ORG
lmpa.org@verizon.net
cc: (LMPA Executive Board members)
Julie Crawley
Peter Oram
Tina MacConnell
Malcolm Page
Lou Przystas
Meg Tyler
Andrew Crawley
Drew Logan
Darlene Hayes
