Council files no-substantive-objection for Wakefield schoolhouse and old theater projects, incorporating Conservation Commission recommendations

The Town Council voted to file "no substantive objection" responses with the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) for two redevelopment proposals: the Wakefield schoolhouse condominium project and the old theater condominium project. Councilors explicitly incorporated the Conservation Commission's written recommendations into those filings.

Members of the public and Conservation Commission supporters asked the council to include the commission's recommendations. Jan McAleer, speaking as a Conservation Commission member but in a personal capacity, urged the council to preserve and replace mature trees in the Wakefield Elementary site plan, saying the trees contribute to historical character and improved marketability. David Wren read a prepared letter urging the council to attach the Conservation Commission memos to the CRMC filings and told the council, "To include the Conservation Commission's recommendations in your filing for each of these applications will provide the CRMC with helpful information important to its processing of these applications."

Councilors said they had received the commission's memos and had heard no adverse testimony on the record. The council also noted that the developers did not object to including the recommendations. With those assurances, the council approved motions to file the CRMC documents that incorporate the Conservation Commission's suggested conditions.

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Council staff will include the Conservation Commission's memos and recommendations when filing the town's communications to CRMC. Conservation Commission members and several residents said they expect the measures to help preserve historic trees and address environmental concerns around the projects.