By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The former state armory, located at 358 Lincoln St., has been at the center of controversy for years. That controversy continued at the Oct. 17 City Council meeting during a discussion of what should happen next to the property.
Ming Wang, the building's current owner, had wanted to develop the property in 2008 but was denied a special permit to do so. He is now hoping to raze the building.
During the council meeting, members discussed a letter they had received from Brona Simon, the executive director of the Massachusetts Historical Commission regarding the property. Simon requested that an extension be granted to a demolition delay order so that demolition alternatives may be assessed. She also sought comments from the city council and the Marlborough Historical Commission regarding the “adequacy of the exploration and consideration of those alternatives.”
In a comprehensive analysis of the “old” armory building, City Building Commissioner Stephen F. Reid outlined several uses that are allowed in the Zone B section of the city. These uses, “as a matter of right,” include a commercial kennel, retail stores, banks and financial institutions, offices, schools, consumer service establishments, greenhouses, restaurants and cafes.
Other allowable uses in this zone – which first require a special permit from the council – include conversion of a two-family dwelling to a three-family dwelling, multi-family dwellings, boarding and lodging homes, hotels, places of assembly and other viable usages.
In his report, Reid stated that prior plans on file from 2004 were for a proposed 12-unit residential condominium conversion within the armory and 27 regulation parking spaces on a nearby lot.
“That proposal did not survive the council scrutiny and was denied a special permit,” he said.
It has now been over 24 months since that decision and as such, the limitations of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A (which relates to zoning issues) have lapsed.
“Any future development is free game,” Reid added.
The city's Code Enforcement Officer Pamela Wilderman said the property owner is not maintaining the property responsibly.
“It's a constant battle trying to get them to take care of their property,” she said.
Councilor-at-Large Patricia Pope noted, “I know of one neighbor who offered to mow their lawn and [the owners] said not to go on their land.”
The council voted unanimously to ask Assistant City Solicitor Cynthia Panagore-Griffin to draft a letter to Simon approving the request for the extension.