SOUTHBOROUGH – Two sites along Turnpike Road could be developed into apartment complexes.
However, at one of these sites, there may be a question of whether such a development can be allowed.
Mike Ferris of Ferris Development Group (FDG) presented plans before the Select Board on June 6.
Ferris said his brother, Dave, owns properties at three sites, including 120 and 250 Turnpike Road.
For the site at 120 Turnpike Road, FDG is proposing to build 56 apartment units in a four-story building. The building would be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units on an eight-acre parcel with 114 parking spaces.
The site would be 1,200 feet from Turnpike Road.
For the 250 Turnpike Road property, the plans call for 60 apartment units in a four-story building on 5.5 acres. It would be about 520 feet from Turnpike Road.
There is a building at 250 Turnpike that Ferris is converting into a self-storage facility. It is scheduled to open this fall.
Both would be 40B projects within Residence A zone.
Ferris said the FDG is working with MassHousing, and it will apply for eligibility for both sites soon.
He said both sites would have “minimal abutter impact” since the projects would be built along Route 9 and not within a neighborhood.
Should the projects be approved and built, all the units would count toward the town’s 40B requirements.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident John St. Andre asked about regulations that the Zoning Board of Appeals and Select Board imposed on 250 Turnpike some years ago. He said the restrictions ban the construction of housing.
“You don’t have legal right to build on that residential lot,” he said. “How do you get around that?”
Ferris replied there have been some “legal opinions” on the matter, but it could be better answered by FDG’s legal counsel.
Several residents on nearby Parkerville Road, were concerned about the regulations and the possible “clear cutting” of five acres of trees.
Board members also discussed possible impacts on traffic and the schools.
Board Chair Andrew Dennington pointed out that under 40B, the town has “relatively little control over the project.” He said that the town and the developer will work together to address the issues presented during the meeting.
