An Open letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals

Dear Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals,

I have regrettably been unable to attend the ZBA meetings concerning the Brightview project due to my illness and chemotherapy treatments. However, though still unable to write, I have dictated this letter to you because it is of the utmost importance to me that you know of my objections to this proposed project.

It should be abundantly clear that this project is too big for that spot. I do not understand how anyone can think otherwise. I find it ugly and maddening that the residents of this town must always be the ones to bear the negative consequences of these projects while negligent property owners who have been allowed to let their lots and buildings deteriorate, make out like bandits when they sell for big bucks to developers. In the meantime, the people who live and work in such areas, end up suffering because no one protected their rights. Residents and taxpayers must come first, not the other way around. It is the developer who should be begging and groveling to be heard and accepted, not the towns people!

As I was in the hospital taking my chemo infusion, my nurse and I got to talking. Her family owns a well known eatery in town and she has been following the Brightview project. She asked me what was going on and if I knew why it was so big. She went on to say that it was ‘way overwhelming’ for the area and her family feels it will increase the traffic even more. Her family has said that the size and placement of this facility will actually have the effect of driving people away from enjoying our town.

As I have been following this project , it seems that you have done nothing which has affected the actual size and impact of this project. Yes, this 60 foot wall was moved back from the street a little and that is good. But it is still a towering behemoth that does not in any way fit that residential neighborhood. Making a project attractive does not mean that its negative aspects have also been dealt with adequately.

I have always felt that your role as the ZBA was to first protect neighborhoods and those who live in them from this type of attack. And it is an attack on people, our downtown, our sensibilities, on common sense and integrity. And should you opt to approve this project in its current size, it will also have proven to be an attack on the autonomy and integrity of this board.

There is an easy solution. Let Brightivew build its assisted living facility but have them build it in a smart and sensible fashion that abides by the laws of common sense and human dignity, rather than siding with the obvious greed that has piloted this project from the very beginning. I know the pressure you are under by some who will see this out of proportion project be built. Like so many other projects in our town, to some this is to be a slam dunk, rubber stamped, done deal. I ‘ve seen this happen over and over again and it must stop. You can help protect what it left of the small New England town that attracts so many to Wakefield, or you can help destroy the essence of that.

For the sake of all that is honest and good, please compromise and have Wakefield’s first assisted living facility one that can truly enhance our town rather than breach yet another residential neighborhood and toss away like straw in the wind the people who live there. It is up to you.

Sincerely,
Sue Adrian