SHREWSBURY – A Subaru dealership is one step closer to opening in Shrewsbury.
There is currently a Patrick Subaru located at 247 Boston Turnpike. The new site, which spans approximately 14 acres, is near the intersection of Route 9 and South Street, which is about two miles away from its current dealership.
Attorney Richard Ricker, General Manager of Patrick’s Motors Jason Patrick and Boch Shrewsbury representatives went before the Select Board on Oct. 25 to ask for a garage and Class 1 license for the new site, which the board ultimately approved.
“This new building will bring, I believe something along the lines of a 20 million dollar project to town. I don’t need to say anything about [the] tax revenue for something like that,” Ricker said.
He added, “The Patrick organization is qualified and meets the threshold to be a dealer for this particular license.”
Residents voice concerns at ZBA
The new 57,862 square-foot automobile dealership includes a showroom, offices, service bays and a reconditioning section, according to engineer Patrick Healy.
In addition, Healy said there would be 600 vehicles stored in the parking lot.
The new site will be one of the “largest and most advanced retail automotive destinations in New England,” said Subaru of New England Vice President of Market Development Bryan Dumais in a press release.
The dealership is anticipating that it will employ about 100 people.
The project recently went before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on Oct. 24. At the ZBA, they were also requesting a special permit and variance.
During the ZBA meeting, residents voiced their concerns about the proposed site.
Resident Martin Green, who lives near the site, said when he and his wife moved to the area 20 years ago, there were no car dealerships, which he said allowed them to “maintain the quiet enjoyment” of their property.
He added that he believes the dealership would increase the already “very, very difficult traffic situation.”
Resident Carol Barton, who also lives near the site, said she is concerned about the increase of congestion.
“Attorney Riker said there is no negative traffic impact based on the traffic report. I am just really curious how you have a state-of-the-art car dealership and you have over 500 cars parked on this facility, how does that not negatively impact traffic?” she asked.
During the Oct. 24 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the board voted to continue the public hearing for the dealership to Nov. 28.
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