PRESCOTT SCHOOL: New Zoning Article Includes Deed Restriction Provison [with video]
In a confusing series of discussions, Selectmen first asked the Planning Board to sponsor an article to add Prescott School to the TCOD [Town Center Overlay District]. Then, at last week's Selectman's meeting [see front page story, Sept. 19], Selectmen seemed to reverse themselves saying they did not think moving Prescott School property into the TCOD [Town Center Overlay District] was a good idea for fear that a new owner might use the flexible options outlined in the TCOD to sell the property to a future developer, who could then convert the building to residential housing - a use residents said in a questionnaire and at various public forums, they clearly do not support.
But, at Thursday's Public Hearing to consider the issue, Town Manager Mark Haddad said that Selectmen were again advocating moving Prescott School property into the TCOD [Town Center Overlay District] with the proviso that there be a deed restriction on the property stipulating that the building could only be used as a single-family residence. Town Manager Haddad met with the sole bidder for the building, Greg Yenchenko, who, according to Haddad, is willing to accept the single-residence deed restriction if Town Meeting approves his purchase of the property.
West Groton resident Michael Manugian asked whether such a deed restriction would be in the Town Meeting article seeking voter approval to sell the building to Mr. Yenchenko. Town Manger Haddad responded that the deed restriction would not be part of the article and that Town Meeting would have to trust Selectmen to include the restriction in the P&S agreement.
Selectman Anna Eliot, while supportive of the sale of the Prescott Property to Greg Yenchenko, and finding transfer of the Prescott Property to the TCOD acceptable, said zoning the property for business was more appropriate than placing it in the TCOD [Town Center Overlay District].
Having been a member of the Prescott School re-use committee and having actively studied various uses for the building, she said Town residents were very clear in their desire to use the property for business use, not for housing. Consequently, she said that zoning the property in one of the new Business districts specifically designed by the Planning Board for 'village businesses' seemed more sensible and preferable to her.
Nevertheless, despite these comments, The Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the Town Meeting article to move Prescott School into the TCOD [Town Center Overlay District]. Board members said moving the building into the TCOD was appropriate.
