Tennis club expansion rejected in Holliston
Kendall Hatch/Daily News staff
The Planning Board shot down a proposal last night from the owners of Chamberlain Pines Swim and Tennis Club even though three out of five board members supported the project.
The proposal, which would have allowed owners Ned and Laura Emerson to build a dome over their tennis courts so the club could stay open during the winter, required a special permit. Rules for that permit call for a super-majority, meaning four out of the five board members must give their approval.
Over the last several months, the project has brought out dozens of people, speaking both in support of and against the proposal.
The Emersons had asked to put up two domes over four tennis courts, one of which would have been removed each summer.
Many neighbors balked at the idea, saying the 34-foot domes didn't mesh with the residential character of the neighborhood.
In response to concerns, the Emersons agreed to change their initial plans to lessen traffic and noise and reduce visibility of the dome from Chamberlain Street.
But it wasn't enough to win the backing of four Planning Board members.
All five members agreed that the Emersons had presented their case well, hiring professionals to help with the plans and working to appease neighbors and deal with concerns from board members.
"The applicant took our advice, hired a professional, and over the next several months, I think, responded to every one of our requests," board member Len Engel said. "While I think there may be impacts (to the neighborhood), I think they will be fairly minimal."
Engel, Vice Chairman John "Jack" Donovan and Chairman Warren Chamberlain voted to grant the special permit.
Members Parashar Patel and Geoffrey Zeamer voted against.
Patel said the number of measures the board had to ask for, such as trees and a fence to obscure the dome, and sound-proofing, were a clear indication that the project isn't a good fit for the neighborhood.
Chamberlain said he felt the club was in a mainly agricultural area and was far enough away from the nearby Brentwood neighborhood to cause any real disruption.
Zeamer said he was concerned about future expansion and also thought the proposed additions didn't fit the neighborhood.
The Emersons declined comment after the board's decision.
Resident Sam Tyler, a neighbor who has spoken out against the proposal at previous meetings and presented an opponents' petition at a hearing earlier this month, said he was pleased with the decision.
Having a tennis and swim club has benefits, he said, but like Zeamer and Patel, he doesn't see the project as a good fit.