Opponents to 'The Ledges' Project Start Online Petition

Alderman Mike Raymond has informed Woburn Patch of a new initiative for opponents of the development project to express their views.

The controversy over the Ledges affordable housing project continues. As reported on Woburn Patch, the most recent development was that the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has ruled that the Ledges affordable housing project in North Woburn needs no further study under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. In a letter dated Dec. 21, EEA Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. said: "The [Environmental Notification Form] has sufficiently defined the nature and general elements of the project, and has proposed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate environmental impacts. I am satisfied that any outstanding issues pertaining to traffic, storm water management and blasting can be addressed through the state and …

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N. Woburn Ledges Project Needs No Further Study

Informational meeting for residents will be held this Thursday to discuss state findings.

  The state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has ruled that the Ledges affordable housing project in North Woburn needs no further study under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. In a letter dated Dec. 21, EEA Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. said: "The [Environmental Notification Form] has sufficiently defined the nature and general elements of the project, and has proposed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate environmental impacts. I am satisfied that any outstanding issues pertaining to traffic, storm water management and blasting can be addressed through the state and local permitting processes." The Ledges project is comprised of four three-story apartment buildings containing 168 units of residential …

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City Council Discusses CVS, Mr. Charlie's

Public hearings for the North Woburn proposals opened Tuesday.

  The City Council opened three public hearings regarding North Woburn projects Tuesday, but all will need more discussion. Alderman Mike Raymond told Woburn Patch Wednesday that although the hearings were opened, they were forwarded to the council's Committee on Special Permits. Normally, public hearings are opened at City Council, forwarded to the special permitting committee, then re-opened at a later date with City Council. Also during that discussion time period, the Planning Board and Board of Appeals holds meetings on the matters (if necessary). In August, some North Woburn residents were upset to learn that a CVS could be built on the current site of Mr. Charlie's ice cream shop, while that eatery would move across the street into …

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Letter to the Editor: Next Step for N. Woburn

An alderman shares the next step in the N. Woburn Ledges project.

  To the Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Woburn Zoning Board of Appeals for the time they have spent over the past 11 months reviewing documents and most of all listening to the concerns of residents. After countless meetings and hundreds of hours of testimony the 5 member Board unanimously voted to deny the modification to the Ledges of Woburn 40B permit. The next step in the process will be filing the ZBA decision with the City Clerk. Prior to filing the decision the ZBA must meet and list the reasons why they voted to deny the modification. This meeting is scheduled on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The petitioner will have 20 days from the date that the ZBA files their …

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Earnhardt

8:16 am on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

If the process goes to appeal. is there an estimate as to how much this will cost the City? and how long, and how many appeals can be filed? Looks like the battle, but not the war has been won. In this City, history proves deep pockets almost always get what they want.   more ›

SOUND OFF: The 40B Ledges Project Decision

The Board of Appeals denied the developer's request. What do you think?

  For years, North Woburn residents have heard of the 40B housing project nicknamed "The Ledges." And for months, residents and officials have railed against it, saying that building it would cause turmoil for the city. The project would have housing—25 percent of it affordable—which meant that it could circumvent some zoning laws according to state law. But the Ledges project was going to dig into the "Woburn Quarry," right near residents with asthma and other extenuating circumstances. As we revealed in today's 5T column, the city's Zoning Board of Appeals denied the developer's request this week. The Ledges decision will likely be appealed by the developer in state court.  What do you think? Should the ZBA have denied the request? …

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Danielle Masterson

1:24 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012

I don't know... I haven't covered a ZBA appeals case in years. Anyone out there know the answer to that question?   more ›

Letter to the Editor: N. Woburn Ledges Update

Alderman Mike Raymond offers letter to the editor, public on the 40B project.

  Ledges of Woburn Update: To gain a better understanding of the proposed location for the Woburn Ledges 40B project, a site visit was conducted at 1042 Main Street on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 11 by the Board of Appeals (BOA). The BOA, petitioners, lawyers and residents were present. Woburn Public Media Center filmed the event and is now being played on your local cable TV station. Following the site visit the BOA reconvened in Woburn City Hall Council Chambers to conduct the monthly 40B meeting. Highlights of the meeting included final comments from both the petitioners and residents after which the public hearing process closed with no final vote taken. Deliberations will continue at the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, …

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Earnhardt

7:23 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012

I disagree, but that's fine. The city level still has options, but without a strong voice it's hopeless.   more ›

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need To Know Today, Sept. 4

City Council to open N. Woburn public hearings tonight.

Here are five things you need to know today in Woburn:   1) Event spotlight North Woburn topics are on the agenda for City Council tonight, including the first requests for public hearings on special permits for Mr. Charlie's and CVS. But expect those to go right to committee, if you're planning on attending. Meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be held in City Hall Chambers.    2) Woburn Bowladrome The group Parents of Tots is holding a "bumper bowling" field trip at the Bowladrome today at 10 a.m.! For more info, click here.    3) Can you stand the rain? According to the National Weather Service, Woburn will be hit with some rain today. The NWS is predicting a 50-percent chance of rain with cloudy skies. Expect temperatures to stay in the …

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N. Woburn Rumor is Real: CVS Petitions City

What is the drug store looking to do in North Woburn?

  A rumor has become reality, as developers proposing a CVS in North Woburn have officially filed a petition with the Planning Board. According to Planning Director Ed Tarallo, the special permit application was submitted Thursday afternoon around lunch time. Rumors have been swirling about changes in North Woburn, since a portion of the Dunkin' Donuts/Convenient 38 strip mall was painted with blue and white stripes—the color scheme for Mr. Charlie's Ice Cream. "They must come before the City Council in special permits to do this," said Alderman Richard Gately. Mr. Charlie's is expected to speak to the City Council about the paint and possible move Tuesday. Now, CVS has filed paperwork to move into Mr. Charlie's old location, and is also …

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Is Mr. Charlie's Moving?

What's going on with the North Woburn business?

  Anyone driving through North Woburn has probably noticed that the strip mall at 880 Main Street has a new look to it. Dunkin' Donuts had already moved to the opposite side of the plaza, leaving its old location vacant. Well, that storefront was painted with blue and white stripes. Just like Mr. Charlie's Ice Cream across the street. Woburn Patch visited Mr. Charlie's on Monday and learned that the ice cream parlor is meeting with city officials about moving across the street. The petition will be before the City Council soon. Robert McSheffrey is the owner of the 880 Main St. plaza, which is valued at $1.2 million, and was built in 1984, according to City Hall's Assessors' records. Mr. Charlie's is operated by Kelly McSheffrey, who spoke…

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Earnhardt

6:34 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012

I agree. why move the ice cream stand form the same side of the street as the park/ pool to across busy route 38? it makes no sense. Kids will be kids and in the excitement of getting an ice cream, will run out into traffic at some point. This whole thing is ridiculous! The traffic is a nightmare, CVS will add to the mess and congestion. And on top of that. the convenient plaza is really not a …   more ›