LETTER August 20, 2015
Subdividing Whipple Hill
The granting of a special permit to construct 20 homes off Bayberry Road is a very big deal. Bayberry is a loop road off Route 62. As such, it is a dead-end. There is only one way in and one way out. Town of Danvers Zoning Regulations require that a dead-end street be no longer than 600 feet. Neighboring towns such as Beverly, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, and Salem, set an ever greater restriction: 500 feet. The basic reason is public safety. Any blockage at the opening of a dead-end street such as Bayberry, its stud, Sandpiper Circle, or the new street into the subdivision, could be catastrophic. An accident, fallen tree, stalled vehicle, broken water pipe, snow pile—all could impede or entirely block access. The only means of ingress or egress would be on foot or by bicycle. A fire emergency could be even more dire. Fire equipment might be blocked or unable to maneuver adequately. And water pressure might be insufficient to fight the fire. For those reasons and more, the National Association of Home Builders says that there should be at least two routes to any street in the community. The rules and regulations governing the subdivision of land in Danvers stipulate that the Planning Board must ensure safe, convenient travel; lessen congestion; reduce danger to life and limb in the operation of motor vehicles; secure safety in the case of fire, flood, panic and other emergencies; and coordinate streets in a subdivision with one another other and with neighboring subdivisions in order to protect “the safety, convenience, and welfare of the inhabitants.” I urge the Planning Board to fulfill its commitment to the community by acting accordingly.