Residents relieved Elm Street Bridge safe from zoning changes

SAUGUS – Lee Johnson said he would rest easy knowing that the Historic Mills District Zoning Overlay would not affect the Elm Street Bridge.With the issue of the possible demolition or reconstruction of the bridge to mitigate flooding still before the Board of Selectmen, many Saugus residents who turned out to the Planning Board?s public hearing Thursday shared Johnson?s initial hesitation to move forward with the zoning overlay.Economic Development Coordinator Robert Luongo said, in his opinion, since the three Central Street-area mills in question of being rezoned were already in a developed area, changes to the bridge would “certainly not have a negative impact.”Luongo said, if anything, the plan?s restrictions to what kind of development could go in at the mills could limit heavy trucking on Central Street. “Does having or removing the bridge impede the economical development of that district? I don?t think it does. I don?t think it?s critical at all,” said Luongo.Luongo said Johnson could, indeed, rest easy. “Unless it rains,” he added, to laughs from the packed meeting.The 20 people who showed to the meeting were happy with the plan and its strategy to restore and protect the three historic mills by developing mixed-use guidelines for potential developers. Many complimented the boards and organizations who had worked on the plan on their collaborative efforts. Those with questions were pleased by what they heard: that it would not affect flooding, that businesses already in the area would be grandfathered in and would not have to change their businesses, and that the town would have control through the zoning guidelines over development.But despite the general support for the plan in the meeting by both the board, Town Meeting members and residents who showed, re-elected Chairman Peter Rossetti voted “present” in the vote to recommend the plan at Special Town Meeting on Jan. 27.?It?s a good idea I think,” began Rossetti, “But I have questions. I think Elm Street is part of this issue. If a developer was looking to come in immediately, I?d be in favor of it. But with no developer on the horizon, I have some questions.”After the vote was taken, in which the four other board members voted in approval, Rossetti said, as an attorney, he worried that the language was “too loose.”?When I served on the Zoning Board of Appeals, I saw cases where the issue wasn?t as inclusive as it could be,” was all Rossetti added before moving on with the rest of the meeting?s agenda.