Lynn takes court action to nix Salem board pro-big box vote

LYNN – The Lynn Planning Board today was expected to file a motion in Superior Court, requesting the Salem Planning Board’s vote in favor of a Lowe’s and Walmart big box development on Highland Avenue be vacated.The appeal hinges on the premise that the Salem board has no authority to order the Kennedy Development Group to make road construction changes in Lynn or at major intersections directly impacting Lynn residents, according to Law Department attorney James LamannaAt issue are at least three intersections along Route 107 (Highland Avenue) near where the retail complex would be located, including Buchanan Circle and at Fay’s Avenue. The first change would create a two-way, left-turning lane onto Buchanan Circle, where only one lane currently exists. The second would allow southbound motorists coming from Salem on Route 107 to turn right onto Fay’s Avenue.”The Salem Planning Board required the developer to make these intersection changes,” said Lamanna. “The Lynn Planning Board was not involved in that decision and that is part of the complaint. The Salem board is dictating what’s best for the city of Lynn. They didn’t consult Lynn by asking the Fire Department, the public works or Planning Board about these two specific conditions.”The Salem Planning Board on Jan. 13 issued the developer a special permit to move forward with the controversial project. The permit had several stipulations, including re-configuring the intersections. Traffic and drainage concerns have dominated discussions at a series of public hearings before the Salem board.The project includes construction of a Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, expansion of the existing Walmart, doubling the size of the Meineke auto repair center, building new facilities for Camp Lion and erecting a water tower for the city of Salem.Lamanna noted Route 107 was once a four-lane highway where it sliced through Salem and Lynn. A plethora of tragic accidents and an increase in drag racing prompted Lynn officials to reduce the roadway to two lanes ? one in each direction.”The Salem Planning Board seems to be trying to make it wider again,” Lamanna said.Lynn planning officials are also dismayed that the developer spent $75,000 to study traffic patterns near the construction site and gave Salem an additional $17,000 to hire its own traffic consultant.”No money was given to Lynn by the developers for a traffic study of our own,” Lamanna said.Construction plans for the retail development also include making changes to Route 107 at Swampscott Road, and at the more congested crossroads where Trader’s Way and Marlborough Road meet Highland Avenue.Lamanna said any changes to those intersections directly impacts Lynn residents. As with the other intersections, Lynn officials were not consulted about the plans, he said.”The planned changes extend from the intersection at Marlborough Road all the way to Pep Boys and Market Basket,” he said, referring to two businesses whose driveways enter and exit onto Route 107.Lamanna noted further public hearings on the project will likely be held before the conservation commissions in Salem, Lynn and Peabody, since land from all three communities converges near the development site.Salem attorney Joseph Correnti, who represents the developer, referred all questions about the case to Stacey Lentz in the Lowe’s corporate communication office, who could not be reached for comment.