By Keith Regan, Contributing Writer
Westborough–The Board of Selectmen June 24 granted final approval to a plan to build a 106-suite extended stay hotel, along with a second building that could house a coffee shop or restaurant, at 15 Connector Road.
The property currently houses the Owen O’Leary's Brew Pub restaurant and an Extended Stay America hotel. The town granted first approval for a second hotel on the site 15 years ago, but that plan was never realized.
Four members of the board voted in favor of granting the site plan approval. Selectman Denny Drewry abstained, saying he supported the project in concept but was concerned that some details, including potential traffic fixes at what is a busy intersection at peak hours, had yet to be finalized.
“It's my preference to have more of those details handled before we are committed,” he said.
The Planning Board granted a special permit for the project in April.
Patrick Healy, an engineer with Thompson-Liston Associates, Inc., said the owner of other property–PKY Properties– has not yet found a tenant for the 2,200-square foot accessory building, which was planned for -including traffic counts–as a drive-through coffee shop.
“The hotel is ready to go today and will be built as soon as possible,” he said.
The four-story hotel will share an access driveway and parking with the restaurant on the property.
Selectman Leigh Emery expressed concern about the hotel adding to a surge of growth in the area, including a large residential development nearby on Main St.
“I just worry long-term about our water capacity as we bring more large projects online,” she said.