By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Representatives of the Wagner Motor Group of South Street met with the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen March 18. Wagner is in the process of negotiating with the University of Massachusetts to buy a four-acre lot along South Street, adjacent to other properties owned by the car dealer. In order to do this, the lot zoning must be changed from office/research to commercial/business. If the zoning change is approved at Town Meeting, Wagner would then also need a special permit from the town Zoning Board to proceed with the plan to use the lot for parking vehicles.
This proposal initiated a conversation among the selectmen, who said they were surprised by UMass” recent property activities. The board was previously assured by UMass that the property has “little value” and that the school has no active plans for much of its property located in Shrewsbury. However, issues before the board involving properties in the former Spag's lot and the news that Wagner wants to buy another UMass lot for its business has caused concern among board members about how UMass is dealing with Shrewsbury. The Wagner representatives declined to tell selectmen how much they are paying for the land.
After hearing the presentation, the board took no action on the proposed zone change.
