Please help! Petition to stop subdivision of One Benton Road property.

[lslapiko.livejournal.com]

At this point we have collected over 60 letters from neighbors supporting our efforts to prevent the subdivision of One Benton Road (see details below). Your signature on our petition will help show the Zoning Board of Appeals that Somerville residents do not support the project. Thanks!

http://www.change.org/petitions/please-help-stop-the-subdivision-of-one-benton-road

MLM Realty Trust was denied permission to subdivide the land at One Benton Road by the Somerville Office of Strategic Development and Planning Board. They are appealing this decision to the Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals without having addressed any of the concerns that caused the initial decision. (more after cut)



One Benton Road was built in the mid-19th century and contained a number of unique architectural details, most notably the large stained glass window in the back of the house, all of which were dismantled and sold by MLM during their renovation of the house. Additionally, the lot was the site of the last significant area of green space in the neighborhood, characterized by a rolling grassy hill with a pink blooming cherry tree in the spring. That landscape feature was completely eradicated when MLM put in a driveway.

One Benton Road is a single lot, and based on MLM's approach to renovating the original structure, without regard to the wishes of Somerville residents and Aldermen, and without cooperation with the Historic Preservation Society, there is no reason to expect that further subdivision and construction on the land will be an improvement.

For almost a year and despite significantly dropping the price, MLM has not been able to sell the third unit in the existing structure. There is no reason to expect that further building in a space designed for one home will be attractive to prospective buyers.

Comments

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

I don't get it. They own the land, they can do whatever the want to it (within zoning limits). They've already removed whatever interesting architectural or beutifying aspects the building used to have. What there there is worth saving? andwhy should we care?

You shouting about this once a week is not going to have any effect.

The land is zoned for residence, right? It's going to be turned into condos right? so the only problem is 1) knocking down a building which no longer has any interesting features, and 2) increasing the number of units on a given plot of land.

I can't find myself caring about either of these issues. sorry.

[ron_newman]

No building is to be knocked down. The existing building was turned into condos, and the developer wants to build more condos on what is now (I think) lawn.