MARLBOROUGH – A former moving company at 269 Mechanic St. is closer to becoming a machine shop.
Attorney Brian Falk and George Mongeau, the owner of Octo48 LLC (Action Precision Machining), came before the City Council’s Urban Affairs Committee on Feb. 9, seeking a “Section 6” special permit.
According to Falk, seeking such a permit would allow a change from one nonconforming use to another.
The change in use would also require approval from the Site Plan Committee.
In 2019, the property was rezoned from Limited Industrial to Residence B, with the intent of selling the property for a residential project. That sale never went through, and the property continued to be used as a warehouse.
Action Precision Machining, which is a tool and die operation, plans to relocate its shop to Marlborough from Leominster.
According to Falk, Action Precision would have six to 12 people on site during regular hours, with six to 12 vehicles during the day. Deliveries will be two to three trips per week of smaller-sized trucks.
“This use will have a much lower impact to the surrounding neighborhood as the prior warehouse use involved numerous trucks coming and going throughout the day. Action Precision will be a much quieter neighbor,” said Falk.
In a draft decision, the City Council said the proposed change would “not be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing warehouse use of the site.”
The Urban Affairs subcommittee did recommend some changes – no deliveries on Saturday, and an addendum recommended by Conservation Officer Priscilla Ryder in the site plan review. This includes options to improve drainage behind the building; and options for visual improvements along the rail trail, including plantings.
Urban Affairs voted to approve the draft decision as amended. It will be referred to the city solicitor, and be added to the City Council agenda for Feb. 27.
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