Planning Board unanimously grants multi‑year extension for New England Business Center hotel permit

The Needham Planning Board voted unanimously on a motion by Adam Block, seconded by Natasha Espada, to grant a local extension to the 2015 major site project special permit for the parcel behind the Residence Inn in the New England Business Center, setting the local lapse date at Nov. 18, 2029.

Attorney Bob Smart, representing Needham 9 Owners LLC, told the board that the hotel user lined up under the earlier permit did not proceed and that sustained market weakness after COVID left the parcel vacant. "We've tried to find other hotel users and tenants; it's been unsuccessful to this point," Smart said. Mike Laughlin, who spoke for the ownership team, described prior design work and said the owners will re‑engage hotel brokers and otherwise “turn every stone” to find a tenant.

The board sought clarity about ongoing marketing. Member Adam Block asked whether the property had been relisted or marketed on commercial platforms; Laughlin said the owners had not fully reengaged brokerage until they decided on a path and that they would relist the site as a hotel use first and bring any alternate use back to the board as an amendment. The applicant sought a local extension of two years on top of a statutory two‑year state extension; the net effect is a four‑year extension from the original lapse date.

After discussion and confirmation from planning staff that Section 4.6 language that would preserve opportunities for future extensions should be carried forward, the board took a roll‑call vote. Arty Crocker, Eric Greenberg, Natasha Espada, Adam Block and the Chair all voted in favor. Chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

With the extension approved, the owners said they would immediately reengage marketing efforts to secure a hotel tenant and would return for any amendment if a different user is proposed.

The Planning Board handled the vote by roll call because one member was remote; no conditions beyond the standard good‑cause/marketing expectations were added at the meeting.

Next procedural steps: the extension is effective under the board’s action; any future amendment for a different use would require a separate application and review by the Planning Board.