Editor’s note: This article has been updated with more information from the Planning Board’s deliberations.
SHREWSBURY – During a specially scheduled April 13 meeting, the Shrewsbury Planning Board voted to approve the site plans for Beal Commons, a proposed commercial and residential development on the site of the former Maj. Howard W. Beal School.
The planning board approved the plans by a 4-1 vote. Steven Boulay, Joseph Thomas, Purna Rao, and Stephan Rodolakis voted to approve the plans. Timothy Jarry was opposed.
Boulay proposed one change to the site plans, asking that Civico Greenly – the project’s developer – redesign the roof with dormers to better adhere to the town center district guidelines. This amendment passed 4-1. While Jarry noted he supported Boulay’s amendment, he ultimately voted against the proposal because of its “open-ended nature.”
The planning board also approved four special permits. The first permit allowed the developer to build a “vertical mix… [of] nine or more dwelling units” in the town center zoning district, the second and fourth permits authorized side and front yard setbacks of greater than 10 feet, and the third permit allowed for parking along the side of the building. All special permits passed by a 4-1 vote with Jarry opposing.
Originally a 65-unit project with 8,000 square feet of retail space, the planning board ultimately approved a scaled-down 53-unit plan with 7,000 square feet of retail. Earlier this month, the developer presented plans to the Planning Board that converted several one- and two-bedroom units into 14 studio units, significantly shrinking the building’s footprint.
For nearly a century, Beal educated Shrewsbury students. After getting approval to build the new Beal school on Lake Street in 2017, the Beal Reuse Committee was formed to study the future of the property.
In January 2021, Civco Greenly was the only developer to respond to the town’s request for proposals, and three months later the committee recommended the proposal to the Shrewsbury Select Board.
The Beal Commons proposal sparked public debate. Throughout numerous public hearings, residents expressed concerns about traffic and parking difficulties the project may create. Some community members organized a “Stop the Beal Deal” campaign that asked public officials to reconsider the project. Signs and protests could be seen throughout the town.
In December 2022, the project officially went before the Planning Board, which took several months’ worth of public comments into consideration while making its decision.
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