MARLBOROUGH – Professional Automotive on Mechanic Street has taken a big step toward its expansion plans.
On Sept. 6, the City Council’s Urban Affairs Committee approved a special permit that will allow the business to use an adjacent building, a former glass shop. Rick Mariano, a trustee for Marco Realty Trust and Professional Automotive Service, first went before the City Council seeking the special permit earlier this summer.
The vote was 4-1, with Councilor Laura Wagner voting against the special permit after voicing concerns regarding the Village District zoning in which the property is located.
Other councilors supported the special permit.
“It’s something we could use,” said Councilor Sean Navin. “The city would benefit.”
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“It’s going to be attractive, functional,” added Councilor Donald Landers Sr.
Professional Automotive plans to install two garage doors along the side of the building; a new bathroom; an equipment storage platform; and three automotive lifts.
The permit would still be subject to the Site Plan Review Committee in accordance with the city’s Site Plan Review ordinance.
Under the conditions for the special permit, all auto repair activities will take place indoors. All loading and unloading shall take place within the site and not on Mechanic Street; and no deliveries of materials or equipment or shipments from the site shall be permitted on Sunday.
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Professional Automotive would also maintain the right-of-way for 7-9 Mechanic St.
The maximum hours for auto repair activities (excluding administrative and maintenance operations, and employees arriving and leaving before and after shifts) shall be Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The City Council voted to send the permit application to the city solicitor during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 11; it will come back to the council in the near future.
