Hess needs improve or sell its blighted property at 272-284 Hollis St. in Framingham.
Hess needs improve or sell its blighted property at 272-284 Hollis St. in Framingham.
The Issue
Due to a disagreement regarding modifying a special permit with the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals in 2005, a lawsuit was filed by the Hess corporation in 2007 against the ZBA, which was later ruled affirming the decision of the ZBA. Further battles ensued in court, the most recent being in 2011 against the ZBA, Philip Ottaviani, David Norton, Susan Craighead, Steven Meltzer, Karl Thober, Edward Cosgrove, and Robert Snider as they were members of the ZBA. This case also was found in favor of the ZBA.
The Hess station had proposed to make various improvements to the property, including a reconfiguration of the pumps, the elimination of the cashier kiosk, and a construction of a 1200 sq ft building containing a 600 sq ft convenience store. The lot would be reconfigured, new parking spots designated. New sidewalks were to be added, entrance safety markers for pedestrians, and the property's fence replaced.
The ZBA's ruling was the following: "While some Board members felt that the proposal would meet the requirements of the zoning bylaws and would be an improvement to the area, one other member did not. He cited reasons that have been noted in past applications including adverse traffic impacts, internal circulation conflicts between the retail and the gasoline service components of the project, pedestrian access and safety, parking issues and failure to comply with zoning bylaws. In particular, the project is not an appropriate one for the specific site (Section V.E.3.a.1) and the proposed use as developed would create a hazard to abutters, vehicles and pedestrians (Section V.E.3.a.3). These impacts do not warrant the issuance of a special permit and the Applicant has failed to show that the requirements of Sections IV.D. and V.E.3 have been met. Lacking a unanimous vote the application is DENIED."
This petition asks that Hess relinquish control of the property via sale, to the abutters, to the city, or to a commercial entity for development.
The true victims of this action are the residents on the South Side of Framingham, who ask for corrective action to be made a priority.
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The Issue
Due to a disagreement regarding modifying a special permit with the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals in 2005, a lawsuit was filed by the Hess corporation in 2007 against the ZBA, which was later ruled affirming the decision of the ZBA. Further battles ensued in court, the most recent being in 2011 against the ZBA, Philip Ottaviani, David Norton, Susan Craighead, Steven Meltzer, Karl Thober, Edward Cosgrove, and Robert Snider as they were members of the ZBA. This case also was found in favor of the ZBA.
The Hess station had proposed to make various improvements to the property, including a reconfiguration of the pumps, the elimination of the cashier kiosk, and a construction of a 1200 sq ft building containing a 600 sq ft convenience store. The lot would be reconfigured, new parking spots designated. New sidewalks were to be added, entrance safety markers for pedestrians, and the property's fence replaced.
The ZBA's ruling was the following: "While some Board members felt that the proposal would meet the requirements of the zoning bylaws and would be an improvement to the area, one other member did not. He cited reasons that have been noted in past applications including adverse traffic impacts, internal circulation conflicts between the retail and the gasoline service components of the project, pedestrian access and safety, parking issues and failure to comply with zoning bylaws. In particular, the project is not an appropriate one for the specific site (Section V.E.3.a.1) and the proposed use as developed would create a hazard to abutters, vehicles and pedestrians (Section V.E.3.a.3). These impacts do not warrant the issuance of a special permit and the Applicant has failed to show that the requirements of Sections IV.D. and V.E.3 have been met. Lacking a unanimous vote the application is DENIED."
This petition asks that Hess relinquish control of the property via sale, to the abutters, to the city, or to a commercial entity for development.
The true victims of this action are the residents on the South Side of Framingham, who ask for corrective action to be made a priority.
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The Decision Makers
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Petition created on January 31, 2019