Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Call to Action: Stop Development in and around Middlesex Fells

This morning, I visited the Friends of the Fells website and was confounded by the news that I found there regarding development in the neighborhood surrounding the Middlesex Fells park. The city of Stoneham is reviewing a Development Proposal ("Langwood Commons") from The Gutierrez Company who wants to build a more than one million square foot development on the site of the former BRMC (Hospital) that will include over 450 housing units plus 250,000 sq. ft of office space. The company is trying to persuade the city that the development will not impact the reservation environmentally. Common sense suggests otherwise when you factor in the increase in traffic from 1,660 to 8,660 vehicle trips every day.

Mike Ryan who is the Executive Director of the Friends of Fells comments, "The issues are many, from traffic impacts, public safety, noise, pollution, sprawl, and numerous open space and environmental impacts to the Middlesex Fells, our neighborhoods, and our emergency public drinking water supply at Spot Pond; all of which adds up to severe negative impacts on the quality of life in this region for a project which is still way too big for the middle of a park. The Stoneham Zoning Board of Appeals must do the right thing and deny the comprehensive permit for this ill advised over-blown project. Such a denial will be in the communities' best interest as it will open the process to discussion as to what is the true best use for the site for us, our children and their children as well."

Get involved. Contact the Friends of the Fells today to see how you can help shut out the development.

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