Proposed expansion concerns residents

Transcribed from the print edition of the Independent Press July 9th 2014

To the editor:

Nine years ago there was a zoning change on Springfield Ave that includes several houses down from St John Lutheran Church. This zone is called ORC l which means Office, Residential Character. It permits mixed and residential units. Although many neighbors objected, it was passed.

Currently there are three houses that are or were used for an office: 575 - a dentist office, 597 - two psychiatrists and 603 - which has been vacant for years and has a proposal in front of the Summit Planning Board. All of these properties have the appearance, or “character” of residential. 575 and 597 don’t even have signs out front.

The owner of 603 wants to make major changes to the house for a five-doctor office building with underground parking. He wants to expand the building to 7,500 square feet in a neighborhood of 1,900 to 4,800 square feet.

The size, number of occupants and an underground parking area are not in keeping With the “character” of the neighborhood. Not to mention underground parking is an urban structure not suburban.

With five doctors in this house the potential of 100 cars entering and exiting the property everyday increases the traffic and exposes our joggers, bike riders, children playing and dog walkers to danger. The vehicle traffic, number of occupants, commercial grade utilities will raise the noise level to the neighborhood.

The two houses on either side of this house are residential with lovely backyards that they will not be able to enjoy as they can today.

The applicant has worked with the Summit Historical Preservation Commission to make Queen Anne decorative to the building additions and presented a letter to the planning committee showing the Commission’s approval. This is not an approval of the house of this consequence in the neighborhood, but approval of their decorative additions.

The house was previously occupied by two attorneys. It was never marketed as a residential property. It has sat vacant for years with a sign stating it is available for immediate occupancy leading many to believe nothing is "in the works". The outside maintenance of the property consists of mowing the lawn, period. Since the applicant has made it abundantly clear in his proposal as to the "benefit" of his landscaping and a green roof, why is he not concerned with a minimum of maintenance and condition of the property as it currently exists. Garbage and unwanted newspapers sit for days and usually is picked up by neighbors.

Finally, the bottom line is it’s not the commercial use of the property that is objectionable so much as the size, use and urban underground parking. No one in this neighborhood wants to live across the street or next to a commercial house of this consequence. The possibility of our retaining our current property values is nil.

Our residences are our homes and one of if not the largest of our personal assets. How would anyone like to have this monstrosity next to their home? Does the "applicants" greed for tenant money outweigh the largest personal asset of everyone in the neighborhood?

The Summit Planning Board does not allow petitions; therefore, the public must appear to voice their concerns. Please attend the next planning meeting on July 28 at city hall to support us.

JANICE MERRITT

JOHN AND PATRICE CUZZORCREA

MARTY BRENNAN 

Summit