SAUGUS – Saugus held its Town Meeting on a warm Monday night and members voted unanimously to create a routes 1 and 99 business highway sustainable zoning district.Under the plan, Route 1 will look like MarketStreet in Lynnfield. According to the warrant, the proposal will realign an aging major arterial commercial strip corridor and restructure it into mixed-use sustainable development centers, including the creation of new housing opportunities.Town Meeting members and Town Manager Scott Crabtree spoke in favor and opposition.Crabtree said it ties in well with the other goals from three years ago: a new high school and a five-year capital improvement plan.?These initiatives and priorities are close to coming to fruition,” Crabtree said.He compared the new asset being brought into the community to Walmart and said Saugus probably should have thought about this decades ago, like surrounding towns have, but the opportunity is now, he said.?It?s the future of the community to continue providing full service to residents and figure out how to generate revenue,” Crabtree said, thanking Robert Luongo, Economic Development Coordinator, and all those involved on the committee.Saugus attorney Peter Rossetti Jr. said he?ll support the plan, “because it?s better than what we have now.?Is the zoning perfect?” Rossetti asked. “No, I have questions. But I support it. It?s better than what we have. It?s going to help the town.”Rossetti said he remembered Route 1 going through changes, including when the highway had a drive-in movie theater and Adventure Carhop.However, member Bill Brown opposed the plan, saying he was concerned about 90-foot structures.?I feel rezoning will clog up Route 1,” Brown said. “Route 1 sells itself.”Bob Long, Town Meeting member, Precinct 9, was concerned about emergency vehicles having quick access to Forest Street, down to Main Street and over the overpass.?If there are residential units put back there, they won?t have complete access to Forest Street,” Long said, although he applauded everyone involved for keeping a steady hand.Member Peter Manoogian, Precinct 10, said it?s a great way to start the town?s third century (Monday marked Saugus? 200th Town Meeting).The next meeting will be held Monday, May 18.
