All American Self Storage seeks formal modification after as-built changes; Planning Board continues hearing

All American Self Storage (10 Turnpike Road) returned on April 28 to the Southborough Planning Board for a modification to a previously approved major site plan after construction substitutions and as-built differences were discovered during the town’s as-built review.The applicant's engineer, Jim Develas, told the board that changes made during construction included a trench drain across the driveway, a revised detention-basin internal structure, swaps of one or two parking spaces, and some pavement adjustments. Develas said Fuss & O'Neill peer review had raised about 10 items; most have been addressed but outstanding items include defining a swale, replacement of plantings that failed to establish and minor catch-basin hood adjustments.Karina (planning staff) said the applicant received a temporary certificate of occupancy while drainage peer reviewers confirmed the system was performing, but the as-built modifications must be codified in a modification application before final occupancy. She also noted open-space monitoring identified encroachments and debris near the southern property line that must be addressed and documented.The board pressed the applicant on lighting: planning and board members said the installed luminaires are 5,000 Kelvin fixtures and exceed town dark-sky standards enacted in 2021; since the project was constructed with different fixtures than the endorsed plan, the applicant was advised to request a waiver and/or submit a photometric showing no light trespass and provide modified fixtures or shielding if required.Contractor and builder representatives said some installed lights may offer selectable color temperature settings and that fixture replacement or switching could be possible; the applicant agreed to review the issue and return with a waiver request and a photometric table. Planning staff and Fuss & O'Neil also requested erosion-control photo documentation when controls are removed and verification that as‑built planting quantities and species match the approved planting table.The board continued the public hearing to May 12, 2025, and instructed the applicant to supply a formal waiver request for the luminaires, documentation of plant substitutions or replacements, remediation of encroachments in the open space, and Fuss & O’Neil’s outstanding checklist items. The board also discussed the option of a performance bond if plantings or swale work are not completed.