York Town News
OYHS education center gets nod from Planning Board
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK VILLAGE - The Old York Historical Society's proposed educational center has received the unanimous support of the Planning Board, and is now one step closer to becoming a reality.
The plan includes the resurrection of a 19th-century barn, to be located adjacent to Jefferds' Tavern in York Village, to become a new visitor and education facility for Old York. The center has been designed around an Eliot barn that was dismantled and stored to prevent it from being razed when its farmlands were sold for a subdivision. In York Village, the center's site will also include a reconfiguration of parking and access.
Old York Executive Director Scott Stevens told the Planning Board that the site also includes a new location for the Vietnam memorial on the property so that it will be more visible and accessible to residents. Earlier in the review process, that move received strong support from members of the public.
OYHS is working in cooperation with the First Parish Church, which owns the property where Jefferds' Tavern is located and where the new center will be built.
At the Planning Board's meeting on Thursday, May 10, a neighbor to the site expressed concern about traffic, but said he supports the overall plan.
"We anticipate traffic problems at that intersection, because basically what we're doing is adding two left turns," said Richard Cutts, who lives across the old burial ground from Jefferds' Tavern on Lindsay Road.
He told the board he is in favor of the project but is concerned about the impact of the parking lot and increased vehicle access into the area.
"In general, I like the plan. I like the changes that they have made," he said. "I wish there was a way to avoid that entrance at that location, because I think it's going to be a traffic problem."
The board voted to approve the plan, contingent upon the various town departmental sign-offs for such issues as safety.
In the meantime, Old York will continue its capital campaign. Last June, the society was awarded a prestigious challenge grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities of $500,000, which Old York must match three to one with other donations. At that time, Stevens said the grant will help OYHS in the effort to construct the education and exhibition center, endow its operation and develop new programs. These projects are part of the ongoing $2.8 million capital fundraising effort known as the Heritage Campaign.
Moving out of the center of York Village to Route 1, the Planning Board also reviewed proposed changes to the York Village Business Center project under construction in phases at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 91. Although no formal action was taken by the board, the consensus was that improvements to the proposed Rite-Aid and hotel for that site are in keeping with what the board was looking for when it reviewed the project last month.
Planning Board members Tom Manzi and Barrie Munro said the Rite-Aid design is much improved, with new materials and roof lines, but that the entrance itself could be made better with eaves to create shelter for people entering the building.
"If you want to go further feel free, but it is a great improvement," agreed fellow board member Glenn Farrell.
The board discussed such issues as meeting the requirements of the town's sign ordinance and limiting light pollution from the site onto neighboring residential properties while also adequately illuminating the business and parking area for safety.
"If those are the hardest things you've got to tackle, you're really doing well," said Chairman Glen MacWilliams, adding that he appreciated the design team's efforts to make architectural changes on the retail building and hotel that were more in keeping with the character of the town. "Next time around looks good for you."
The application will be back for what is expected to be final review in June.
Also on the agenda, the board discussed plans for a one-time barbecue event at Zacharias Farm, but did not take any action as more information was needed on the plan.
The board approved amendments to the Atlantic House plan, but postponed action on the Highland Farm Phase 2 subdivision at the request of the applicant as more information is being gathered. The board also postponed action on a request to split a combined lot in York Harbor to seek input from the town's attorney.
