The December 7 meeting of the Marion Planning Board kicked off with a discussion about an alleged continual problem.
“The parking spots in front of 41 Mill Street are supposed to be 30 minute parking,” pointed out Planning Board member Eileen Marum, “but I always see cars parked there for three to four hours, and sometimes overnight. It’s a safety issue for people coming to pick up family members when they can’t find any parking.”
The address 41 Mill Street is Marconi Village, a subsidized senior housing complex.
“I’m confused,” said Planning Board Chairman Robert Lane. “Who’s parking cars here?”
Marum stated that the offenders were residents of Marconi Village.
“There’s parking in the back, and it becomes a hazard when people are trying to pick up and drop off family members,” she said. “I’ve contacted police about it, but they said it was an issue for Marconi Village to deal with.”
“Well, if it’s residents of Marconi Village, then yes the issue belongs to Marconi Village itself,” Lane said. “Have you contacted them yet?”
“Yes. They told me that it was a police issue,” Marum replied.
“Well, that’s a convenient answer. I don’t know what we could do to move the police … we could try the selectmen,” Lane said. “We could let them know that the Planning Board is in favor of resolving this issue.”
“Maybe we should post a sign clarifying ‘For Pick-Up and Drop Off Only,’” board member Michael Popitz suggested.
“Or we could just get rid of the 30 minute parking sign altogether,” interjected board member Steve Gonsalves.
Not having a solid idea of where to go, and resolving to contact Marconi Village, the Planning Board moved on with the meeting.
Two proposed building renovations had been submitted to the Planning Board by the Zoning Board of Appeals looking for recommendations. The first, at 60 South Street, was looking to build an addition to the back part of the house.
“I can’t see that the addition is very big or affecting anything,” board member Norm Hills said as he looked at the plans. The Planning Board recommended that the ZBA proceed with approving the addition.
The second submission, at 20 Old Indian Trail, caused more concern. The submitted plans stated the demolition of a small one-story home to be replaced by a small two-story home. “I find this somewhat conflicting,” said Ferrari. “In the plans, it is noted that the new home will be built within the footprint of the original house, but the plans themselves show the new house built forwards, out of the original footprint.”
Lane agreed. “We have conflicting information here. We need – and the ZBA needs – clarification on the wording of ‘original footprint’ and where this house is actually going to be built.”
The board sent the submission back to the ZBA without a recommendation, stating that they didn’t have sufficient information to make one.
Board member Jennifer Francis closed the meeting with an update on Marion’s Master Plan. She noted that the Master Plan workshop had been moved from its original date of December 1 and will now take place on Monday, January 4, at 7:00 pm in the Marion Music Hall. She encouraged residents to come.
“It will be a good summary of everything we’ve done, if you’ve missed anything,” she said. “SRPEDD [Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District] will be explaining the Master Plan, and they will have tables set up which will be devoted to each aspect of the plan. That way if you have any thoughts, questions, or concerns about a specific aspect of the plan, you can go to that table and speak with SRPEDD representatives.”
“Show up and ask questions,” said Ferrari.
“Yes,” said Lane. “From the Planning Board, I’d like to encourage everyone to join us.”
The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for December 21 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.
By Andrea Ray
