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Developer says he hasn't given up on Homes for the Deaf - SalemNews.com, Salem, MA
A developer has withdrawn his plan to build senior condominiums in the landmark Victorian mansion owned by the New England Homes for the Deaf.
Although his plan ran afoul of zoning rules, Gordon Thomson of The Thomson Companies of Danvers is vowing to someday redevelop the Water Street landmark, which still has windows boarded up from the Danversport chemical plant blast more than 18 months ago.
"We now have to redirect our efforts," said Thomson, who declined Monday to elaborate, saying more should be known in 30 days. He is looking at other uses for the property.
"We still intend to purchase the property and utilize it, and maintain its architectural integrity," Thomson said.
Thomson was scheduled to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals Monday night as his company sought a special permit and a variance to pave the way for the development of 16 senior condos at 152-154 Water St.
The riverfront property is on the Peabody side of Water Street, and the project would have involved the Italiante Villa high-style mansion built for industrialist Matthew Hooper, along with the stone barn at the back of the mansion.
Thomson was seeking a variance to create senior condos on land zoned solely for single-family houses.
However, the developer withdrew his application, Building Inspector Richard Maloney said, on Maloney's interpretation of zoning, which Maloney said was backed up by town counsel.
"While we do not agree with the Building Inspector's determination, my clients do not wish to pursue an appeal," said attorney Nancy McCann in a letter to the board on July 1 withdrawing the application.
McCann was on vacation this week and could not be reached.
The developer also sought a special permit for low- and moderate-income housing and a variance from certain provisions, something for which only the Danvers Housing Authority can apply, Maloney said.
"If you are not the Danvers Housing Authority," Maloney said, "you can't ask for that special permit."
Of course, the land is not made up of houses now, but nonprofit, educational institutions are exempt from such zoning rules under state law, Maloney said.
Last year, the Homes of the Deaf signed a purchase-and-sale agreement with Thomson Companies to sell off the 1850s mansion and approximately 8 acres for eight single-family homes.
The Homes for the Deaf had used the mansion from 1926 to 2004, and then moved its operations after it built a 60-bed assisted-living and skilled-nursing facility.
The Homes for the Deaf has 84 residents — including those living in 24 independent-living apartments in a complex that opened in 1998. Barry Zeltzer, executive director of the Homes for the Deaf, could not be reached.
Thomson said he remains committed to some sort of project there.
"We are not giving up on the property," Thomson said.
A developer has withdrawn his plan to build senior condominiums in the landmark Victorian mansion owned by the New England Homes for the Deaf.
Although his plan ran afoul of zoning rules, Gordon Thomson of The Thomson Companies of Danvers is vowing to someday redevelop the Water Street landmark, which still has windows boarded up from the Danversport chemical plant blast more than 18 months ago.
"We now have to redirect our efforts," said Thomson, who declined Monday to elaborate, saying more should be known in 30 days. He is looking at other uses for the property.
"We still intend to purchase the property and utilize it, and maintain its architectural integrity," Thomson said.
Thomson was scheduled to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals Monday night as his company sought a special permit and a variance to pave the way for the development of 16 senior condos at 152-154 Water St.
The riverfront property is on the Peabody side of Water Street, and the project would have involved the Italiante Villa high-style mansion built for industrialist Matthew Hooper, along with the stone barn at the back of the mansion.
Thomson was seeking a variance to create senior condos on land zoned solely for single-family houses.
However, the developer withdrew his application, Building Inspector Richard Maloney said, on Maloney's interpretation of zoning, which Maloney said was backed up by town counsel.
"While we do not agree with the Building Inspector's determination, my clients do not wish to pursue an appeal," said attorney Nancy McCann in a letter to the board on July 1 withdrawing the application.
McCann was on vacation this week and could not be reached.
The developer also sought a special permit for low- and moderate-income housing and a variance from certain provisions, something for which only the Danvers Housing Authority can apply, Maloney said.
"If you are not the Danvers Housing Authority," Maloney said, "you can't ask for that special permit."
Of course, the land is not made up of houses now, but nonprofit, educational institutions are exempt from such zoning rules under state law, Maloney said.
Last year, the Homes of the Deaf signed a purchase-and-sale agreement with Thomson Companies to sell off the 1850s mansion and approximately 8 acres for eight single-family homes.
The Homes for the Deaf had used the mansion from 1926 to 2004, and then moved its operations after it built a 60-bed assisted-living and skilled-nursing facility.
The Homes for the Deaf has 84 residents — including those living in 24 independent-living apartments in a complex that opened in 1998. Barry Zeltzer, executive director of the Homes for the Deaf, could not be reached.
Thomson said he remains committed to some sort of project there.
"We are not giving up on the property," Thomson said.