Editor’s note: This article has been update following vote by the Planning Board and with quote from town officials.
HUDSON – The Hudson Planning Board unanimously voted to accept Portman Industrial’s request to withdraw their site plan application without prejudice for the proposed Intel redevelopment.
“I just want to thank all of you because the Planning Board really had nothing to do with this. It was all the hard work and effort that you all put into this and you should be very proud of yourselves of the outcome you have achieved,” said Planning Board Chair Robert D’Amelio during the last Intel redevelopment public hearing Nov. 15.
D’Amelio read a letter from Portman Industrial that was signed by S. Jefferson Greenway and addressed to the Director of Planning and Community Development Kristina Johnson that said, “We respectfully request a withdrawal without prejudice of this application. On behalf of Portman Industrial LLC, we appreciate all of your time and that of the Planning Board and other town departments in reviewing this application.”
Portman had proposed to build a 1.28 million-square-foot distribution warehouse at the former Intel site on Reed Road.
Michael Pill, an attorney who represented the abutters – including the Villages at Quail Run, Westridge Condominiums, the Hudson’s Children’s Center and Ralph Steves as the trustee of the Reed Hudson Revocable Trust – in a court case against the town and Intel Massachusetts over the project, said Portman’s request to withdraw without prejudice, would mean “serious limits” on Portman’s ability to reapply within two years.
Pill said he asked special counsel Mark Babrowski to see if the Planning Board would not allow Portman Industrial to withdraw its application specifically without prejudice.
“I mean, we don’t want to have to go through all this again next spring or next summer, and I think it would make a lot of sense after what everybody has been put through already,” he said.
Pill added, “We are glad to see them [Portman Industrial] go. We wish Portman well, but not here.”
Abutters and town officials react to Portman’s request
Since the project has been before the Planning Board, it has drawn opposition and concerns from Hudson residents, particularly those who live nearby.
“This is the best thing that could possibly happen for Hudson,” said Westridge resident Steve Goldberg.
Director of the Hudson Children’s Center Robin Shapiro said that it “took a whole town.”
“I am so proud and grateful for all of the work that the people of Quail Run and Westridge and all the people of the town of Hudson did. I can’t thank them enough. It really made a difference,” Shapiro said.
Johnson said that she believes Portman’s decision to withdraw their site plan application is because of the “uncertainty of a satisfactory outcome” with the local and state permitting processes and the reduction of logistics warehouse development due to the rise in interest rates.
Select Board Chair Scott Duplisea said though the project could have generated $8 million in tax revenues, the warehouse would have been “too big” for Hudson.
“I was happy to see they withdrew that at this time,” he added.
RELATED CONTENT
Residents go to court over Intel redevelopment
Hudson Planning Board discusses stormwater, landscaping at Intel redevelopment
Hudson Executive Assistant says no agreement between town, developer on Intel redevelopment
