Hotel hearing delayed once again
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Shrewsbury - The public hearing regarding a proposed extendedstay hotel has once again been continued by the Shrewsbury Planning Board at the request of the project developers.

Proponents of the planned Value Place hotel made presentations to the Planning Board Sept. 6, 2007, and Oct. 11, 2007. Each of these hearings was met with opposition from several abutters to the parcel of land, located at the corner of Route 9 and Lake Street, where the hotel would be located.

The hearing has been con- tinued every month since the Oct. 11, 2007, meeting.

Shrewsbury Civil Engineer and Planner Eric Denoncourt said the developers are currently working on some technical issues with the plan, including questions about sewer capacity and drainage at the site.

Although the Planning Board has no set limit on the number of continuances it will grant for a specific project, Denoncourt said it maintains the right to refuse a continuance at any time.

"There isn't a lot of advantage for the Planning Board to say no to a continuance, but they have before for the benefit of the abutters and public to keep a project from being strung along," he said. "At some point they will inform the applicant that they can either come in the next month with a presentation or they off er them the opportunity to withdraw their application."

He said the likelihood of being granted a continuance is significantly greater if the proponents can show that they are continuing to make changes or improvements to the plans.

The proposed 121-room, 40,000-square-foot Value Place hotel would off er accommodations to guests that would last anywhere from one week to months.

The proposal has been met with criticism from several residents as well as Police Chief James J. Hester, who said he worries about the increased foot traffic, child safety at the hotel and the possibility of increased car break-ins at the site.

The public hearing concerning the Value Place proposal has been continued to the Planning Board meeting Thursday May 1.