NORTHBOROUGH – Efforts to renovate Motel 6 are moving forward.
Back in 2021, a fire closed the doors of the motel, which is located at 27 Belmont St. In late 2022, Motel 6 officials applied for a renovation/ rebuild permit, and the applicant Jay Patel went before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in August to seek a variance regarding septic.
During their Jan. 23 meeting, the ZBA approved withdrawing the application for the variance without prejudice.
Motel 6 specifically sought the ability to use their existing septic system while working on a sewer expansion that would serve the Lawrence Street area. For a construction permit to alter a building, the town’s zoning code requires an approved plan from the Health Department or the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for a septic system or a sewer connection permit issued by the town’s Department of Public Works’ Sewer Department.
Whether the Health Department or MassDEP made the approval depended on the septic flow.
In an email, then-Administrative Assistant with the Building Department and Board of Health Angie Sowden said that Motel 6 received approval of their septic plan through Health Department channels.
According to Planning Director Laurie Connors, with the approval, Motel 6 has completed the requirements for a construction permit application and there wasn’t a need for a variance.
“They are going forward with the Building Department to get a building permit to do the renovations that they desire,” Connors said.
