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Planning Board Meeting Hopkinton Square Gets Warm Reception Traffic a major concern
June 25, 2007 — Last night, the Planning Board held a public hearing and site-plan review over the plan by realtor Chuck Joseph and developer Peter Markarian, CJPM, LLC, to develop an 8.2 acre site at the corner of West Main and South Streets into a 100,000 sq. ft. complex of mixed use retail and office space in four new buildings. Two single-family homes and three commercial buildings now exist on the site, but would be demolished for the new center. Mr. Joseph said it would be, "...primarily retail, but possibly office as well — there's no residential component at present." Appearing on behalf of the principals, Architect Scott Richardson said, "The final configuration will be influenced by tenants — and the two drive-thrus." A drive-up window must be approved by the Board of Appeals, and usually excludes the serving of food. One such window was approved further up on South Street at the Milford National Bank, but there is none at the Dunkin' Donuts adjacent to it.
"We're actually one-quarter the size of a Wal-Mart," said Mr. Markarian. Mr. Markarian said that there would be 66 off-site parking spaces to make the total necessary for the projected uses, such as a 175-seat restaurant. "The Board has a bit of a problem — is there some way you can purchase that property?" asked Planning Board member Sandy Altamura, wanting the parking on the same land. "We don't have a lot of credibility [with prospective tenants] until we have a permitted site," said Mr. Markarian. "I have no problem except the ownership issue, because it is holding up another project," answered Mrs. Altamura. "With other projects there were uncertain variables," added Board member Claire Wright. "This [66 parking spaces] has to be contained on site. Three years later business can change and we'll be in a mess," said Mrs. Altamura.
Landscape architect John Copley presented his plan for a tree-theme in each of the separate areas of the buildings, such as elm, honey locust, and sycamore. Selectman Vice-Chair, Mary Pratt, who was in the audience, disagreed. "I think they should be evergreen so they look good year round. Deciduous trees look ugly in the winter," she said. Engineer Dan McIntyre presented storm water management plans as well as waste water generation of an additional 3,300 g.p.d. After some discussion, it appears that Westborough, where Hopkinton's wastewater goes, has enough capacity to take handle the extra. The Fruit Street Waste Water Treatment Facility construction, which would add to Hopkinton's sewage capabilities, is being held up in court.
In the absence of the traffic engineers, Mr. McIntyre presented the plan
for the entrance on West Main Street that would switch the westbound
"I think that's a big problem," said Chairman Mark Abate. "Unless you're a magician, we'll wait for the traffic engineer," said Mrs. Altamura. During the public's input, a resident across West Main Street, which would be much lower than new elevation of the project, expressed concerns about privacy. "I am concerned a restaurant could look right down into my bedroom. I don't like that," he said. Lisa J. Ferdenzi, EMC Director of Real Estate and Planning (Photo), after acknowledging the design team, expressed two major concerns that her company, a direct abutter, has. "Part of our concerns are mainly the barrier that separates our properties. That is a world-wide briefing center and a day care center," she said. "We also have a concern with traffic. You have left and right turn lanes onto south Street. "We would hope there'd only be a right-turn lane," she said. Ms. Ferdenzi also expressed concern that drivers would speed through the site as a short-cut from West Main Street eastbound to South Street, avoiding the light. Mr. Markarian said he'd like to start in the spring of 2008. "This is the first step in the permitting process," he said. The group will return at a later date with traffic professionals. |
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by
Robert Falcione
"I appreciate you not trying to bring the Wal-Mart look," said Planning
Board member Claire Wright, alluding to the big-box look that is popular
with national chains. The façades have various depths, mimicking a
downtown, or boardwalk type of walking space.
through
and merge lanes west of the intersection. That intersection is usually
gridlocked to the Route 495 exit, known as Ramp 4, every evening rush
hour, with traffic heading toward Upton.