Regarding coverage of Boston Provisions at Planning Board Meeting
Dear Editor,
The coverage by the Chelsea Record of the Planning Board meeting (July 15) regarding the application for a special permit by Boston Provisions (BP), did not accurately reflect the number, or the views, of dozens of neighbors who spoke in opposition to Boston Provisions occupying 100 Justin Drive. Since we are the few neighbors who were quoted, we would like to raise those additional issues here.
At the meeting, those whose homes abut this property raised concerns about odors, fumes, and noise from delivery trucks and their contents arriving early in the morning; to the nature of the business itself; and to exponentially increased traffic along Commandants Way. This will affect not only a densely populated neighborhood, but also an assisted living and center for persons with ALS who frequent the same street in wheelchairs.
Many concerned neighbors brought up the environmental impact to the area, since the parcel abuts Island End River and is adjacent to a state park which hundreds of Chelsea families enjoy weekly.
Since Boston Provisions will occupy only one quarter of the space initially, the remaining three-quarters could be available for BP expansion.
Two other parts of Chelsea are already zoned for companies like Boston Provisions, and locating the business in one of these will give Chelsea the jobs and tax revenue that Boston Provisions promises, without impacting any residential neighborhood negatively. Moreover, Chelsea officials are not following its own guidelines in considering this special permit. In our opinion, this is “spot zoning” and the city of Chelsea should do better.
It should be clear from the public response at the Planning Board meeting and the over 500 signatures gathered thus far, that we intend to pursue our objections to this Special Permit.
Eddie Gaffney
Marlene Jennings
Craig Murphy
Suzanne Perry
Carol Resnik