Credit Union unveils plans for corner of South, Cottage streets
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Westborough - A new and improved South Street Diner, a Central One Federal Credit Union branch and better access to the municipal parking lot behind 32 South St. are just some of the improvements that are planned for the corner of South and Cottage streets.

Central One Federal Credit Union presented its plans for the revamping to the Planning Board at its Dec. 4 meeting, and appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) at its Dec. 10 meeting.

"What we want to do is completely re-make that corner," said Dave L'Ecuyer, chief executive officer of Central One Federal Credit Union. "We're excited about the project; we see it as a win-win for both the community and ourselves."

Plans submitted to the town engineer and town planner show a three-stage process for the project.

The first step would have the two buildings adjacent to the South Street Diner removed, as well as the garage that sits behind the diner.

On that site, a new building would be constructed and the South Street Diner would move into the new space, which would increase from 1,500 to 2,400 square feet.

Following that phase, the original diner would be razed and replaced by a two-story, 3,000-square-foot structure that would house the credit union.

In addition, there would be the installation of a driveway that would run behind the buildings and connect the municipal parking lot with Cottage Street. Also planned are a re-paving of the municipal parking lot and the installation of new lighting in the lot, as well as some greenery.

L'Ecuyer said he hopes the permitting process for the project would be completed within the next 60 days so that construction and occupancy of the new diner could occur in late spring and early summer. L'Ecuyer said he thought completion of the new credit union building wouldn't be until early 2009.

Town Planner Jim Robbins said the project was required to appear before the ZBA because it needs a special permit and two special zoning findings relating to the size of the lots and the frontage on the lots.

"They presented the site plan for the project to the Planning Board because we're required to review it and send our written comments to the ZBA as part of the process," Robbins said.

Robbins hesitated to call the plans for the site straightforward or routine.

"I don't know if I'd call it that because there's a special permit required," he said. "Anytime a special permit is involved I hesitate to call something a slam dunk. It's a tight site and there is demolition involved. Anytime demolition is involved, things are not always as straightforward as it would seem they should be. Part of the plan calls for removing two houses. You never know what you're going to find when you start removing houses."

While these proceedings are the first official steps regarding the matter, the site has been up for sale for a couple of years and the credit union and the diner owners have been negotiating for about six or eight months.

"Plans for that corner certainly haven't been a secret by any means," Robbins said.