Plans filed for Chapter 40B development
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Southborough - Plans have been filed with the town of Southborough for the construction of a 40-unit condominium complex on Woodland Road.

The development is one of three approved by the state to be built in Southborough under the guidelines of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B.

Chapter 40B allows for the relaxation of certain municipal zoning laws in exchange for at least 20 percent of the development being offered to the public within stateapproved, long-term aff ordability restrictions.

The plans for the Woodland Road project, which will be known as Woodland Meadows, were filed with Southborough Town Planner Vera Kolias last month by Bob Heavey of Eight-Eight Turnpike Road Trust. It is one of three sites in town that were approved by MassHousing as viable locations for Chapter 40B developments in town.

Projects proposed by Trammell Crow and AvalonBay, both for developments with more than 200 units, have also been approved by Mass- Housing, but plans have not been filed with the town for either project.

Woodland Meadows is planned for a tract of land that is between property preserved by the Sudbury Valley Trust and the Southborough Conservation Commission.

The Southborough Conservation Commission had concerns with Woodland Meadows when it was brought before them early last year. Commission Chair John Leeds said those concerns have been remedied, one such remedy being the installation of a septic system in some contaminated soil on the site.

Leeds said the commission will continue to observe the site through development because of its positioning between to the two protected properties and a large wetland in the area.

Heavey said the development will have many attractive amenities and is well located.

"The complex will have a pool and a gymnasium," Heavey said, "and it's convenient to everything, being just a couple of miles away from the Mass Pike as well as the commuter rail station."

Woodland Meadows is scheduled to appear before the Southborough Zoning Board of Appeals for approval at its Monday Jan. 14 meeting.