By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — At a continued hearing last week, the Zoning Board of Appeals heard more details about a self-storage facility proposed at 50 Quannapowitt Parkway. The focus was on massing, architecture and how the building would fit in context with surrounding structures.
Attorney Brian McGrail represented the applicant, Pack Self-Storage of Wakefield, LLC, which is seeking Special Permits and Site Plan Review.
McGrail said that the proposed self-storage building would be about 50 feet tall, consistent with nearby structures. He noted that the office building next door owned by R.J. Kelly is also 50 feet tall, as are the buildings at “The Basin” development at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway.
McGrail explained that architect Christine Walsh was tasked with designing a building that blends in with its surroundings and does not look like a self-storage building.
Walsh displayed plans and renderings and said that the five-story building would look more like an office building or a library than a self-storage facility.
She noted that the loading areas would be located toward the back of the building to minimize visibility.
She presented an exterior design with a lot of “texture,” including jogs and recesses to break up the massing. She also talked about how different materials and colors would also be used to reduce the appearance of size. She said that natural, neutral colors would be used to help the building blend in with its surroundings.
Walsh displayed the roof plan and said that the roof would be “solar-ready.” She said that the five HVAC condenser units on the roof would be screened and not visible from the ground.
ZBA member Chip Tarbell wanted to know what would be visible on he roof from the adjacent highway.
Board members also had questions about the locations of other rooftop elements related to elevator shafts and stairways.
Tarbell said that he would like to revisit the exterior colors once the board receives final plans.
ZBA chairman Tom Lucey said that he appreciated the efforts to break down the massing, but thought the exterior was still “a tad busy.”
Board member Joe Pride asked how many storage units would be lost if the building were to be reduced by one story.
When the hearing was opened to the public, Scott Kelly from the abutting R.J. Kelly building observed that while the height is comparable, the close proximity of the proposed self-storage building was a concern. He also questioned whether there was enough room for large trucks to get in and turn around.
Nick Shapiro, an attorney representing the owners of 100 Quannapoitt Parkway, alleged that the attempt to place a self-storage facility at 50 Quanapowitt Parkway amounted to “spot zoning,” which is often considered illegal.
Lucey pointed to the Town Meeting vote to rezone the area and said that the board was not going to re-litigate a town meeting decision.
McGrail vehemently denied Shapiro’s assertion regarding spot zoning and said that he would be providing a written memorandum to that effect.
Shapiro also questioned the ability of first responders to reach certain parts of the building.
Scott Kelly attempted to bring up an agreement dating back to when the lots along Quannapowitt Parkway were first created that related to the size of buildings.
Lucey again stopped him and explained that board members did not have that agreement in front of them and it was not relevant to the matters before the board.
The ZBA continued the hearing to its Sept. 10 meeting.