 |
The Purecoat Planning Committee was formed by the Selectmen in June 2004 to investigate and recommend strategies toward elimination of public safety and health hazards at the Purecoat North facility (formerly known as Cambridge Plating) on Hittinger Street. The committee was also charged with considering alternative uses for the Purecoat property and proposing changes to nuisance regulations. The Committee was asked to make recommendations to the Selectmen not later than June 30, 2005.
The Committee has met about once a month since September 2004 and has made progress toward fulfilling its mandate. Committee members have reviewed the environmental studies prepared by Purecoat, attended public meetings with Purecoat representatives, and have submitted comments on the environmental studies as part of the public involvement process created by state regulations. Committee members have also studied zoning, land use, and real estate values in the area to determine potential alternative uses.
In December 2004, Purecoat representatives approached the Selectmen and indicated their interest in a potential sale of the property. On January 6th, the Selectmen held a public meeting in which they solicited ideas for future uses of the property. Several ideas were discussed, including residential, commercial, or mixed-use development. Town approval and/or zoning changes may be needed for some types of future uses, and the environmental conditions at the property will play a role in determining future uses. Any sale of the property will likely be to another private party, not to the Town. At the January 6th meeting, the Selectmen instructed the Committee to focus on studying residential uses of the property, without excluding other types of proposals. In the spring of 2005, the
Committee will consult with other Town boards, developers, and real estate experts to assess what types of residential uses are most favorable.
Respectfully submitted,
Noah Sachs, Chairman
| |
