Madison Czopek May 13, 2021
Wareham Redevelopment Authority members discuss what to do with the building at 4 Recovery Rd. From left to right: Ken Buckland, Judith Whiteside and Richard Swenson.
To renovate or not to renovate that is the question. After receiving no responses to a request for proposals, members of the Wareham Redevelopment authority are wrestling with what to do with the town-owned building at 4 Recovery Rd.
During the Wareham Redevelopment Authority’s May 13 meeting, Director of Planning Ken Buckland reported that the town “did not receive any responses” when it asked for new proposals for the property.
Just a few months ago, officials thought the building would soon become a site for cannabis testing. But, ultimately, the company that hoped to conduct cannabis testing at 4 Recovery Rd. asked to terminate its lease.
A swan swims in the Wareham River behind Merchants Way. Photo by: Chloe Shelford
After discussions at multiple meetings, the Conservation Commission ultimately decided not to recommend two proposed amendments to the town’s wetland bylaws that will be up for a vote at Town Meeting on June 12.
The proposed amendments, which were brought forward by Director of Planning Ken Buckland, are Articles 10 and 11 on the Special Spring Town Meeting warrant.
The first amendment would remove the “No Activity Zone,” which requires a 50-foot buffer between the waterfront and potential developments, for projects in the Wareham Village One zoning district that have “water-dependent uses” or for projects that require “development or alterations of land previously altered with structure.”