By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – The Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen at its March 25 meeting continued discussion of proposals by local businesses to re-zone some Shrewsbury parcels. The results were mixed.
Russell Kelcorse, of State Street Advisors in Boston, represented Nu Time, LLC, 370 Main St., Worcester, in presenting a plan to re-zone approximately 27 acres of land at 367 Walnut St. from rural to commercial-business. The re-zoning would create 140 contiguous acres of commercial-zoned property for the development of a supermarket and associated mall. This proposed development would be across Route 20 from the existing Old Shrewsbury Village. The development would also include a new bank and medical clinic, as well as other businesses, according to Kelcorse.
Selectman James F. Kane commented that the plans presented – dated October, 2013 – were incomplete and inaccurate and he questioned the plans” depiction of traffic routes and proximity to existing private properties. He added that the Planning Board would need better plans for consideration. Selectman John I. Lebeaux added that he wanted to see more current and accurate plans before he would vote on the proposal. The site would not be developed all at once, according to Kelcorse.
The board tentatively scheduled the proposal for the warrant at the spring Town Meeting, with Town Manager Daniel J. Morgado being very clear in stating that this proposal would receive no support from the town unless it was clear that all entrances and exits from the development were on Route 20, with no additional traffic on Walnut Street, already a traffic problem area. A traffic light would first have to be installed at the street intersection before a construction permit was issued. Kelcorse indicated agreement with these issues and later an article for this re-zoning was approved by the selectmen for the spring Town Meeting warrant.