HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment from Lapolla4/10/26
Dear Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals,
We have written to the Board previously regarding the Great Marsh Building Project, but we
felt it was important to reach out again for the record.
We have attended all of the public meetings regarding the Great Marsh Project, and we
would like to commend the Board for its professionalism and patience in working with Mr.
Egan, his team, and members of the community. We chose not to speak publicly last night,
as our concerns align with those already expressed. We also believe that, at times, the
level of emotion and repetition may make your work more difficult.
That said, we would like to offer a few additional points for your consideration:
First, we appreciate that Mr. Egan listened to community feedback and eliminated the
proposed three-story apartment building. That is a meaningful step in the right direction.
However, safety remains a significant concern. Great Marsh Road already feels like an
accident waiting to happen, especially with the number of children and young families
walking in the area. As former school administrators, the safety of children has always
been of the utmost importance to us and one that we must underscore.
I also want to address the traffic analysis shared at the meeting. The suggestion that
aligning the project entrance directly across from Juniper would not increase traffic
through the Wequaquet Estates neighborhood does not reflect the real traffic
issues. Additionally, the roads in our neighborhood are narrow and not in good shape. I
would encourage members of the Board to drive through Nathan Road and Laurel Road to
better understand the condition of the roads in this neighborhood.
Lastly, we would like to touch on the requirement that the project “meet local needs.” In
our previous letter, we noted that needs go both ways. Mr. Egan certainly has the right to
pursue this development and seek a profit, and increasing housing is an important issue in
our community. At the same time, I hope equal consideration is given to the needs of the
surrounding neighborhood.
Thank you for your time,
Best,
Cindy and Tony Lapolla
35 Laurel Road
Centerville, MA 02632