ZBA approves special permit allowing multiple principal uses at 118–120 Turnpike with planning oversight

At its Nov. 19 meeting the Southborough Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special permit allowing several principal uses on the single lot encompassing 118 and 120 Turnpike Road.

Attorney George Bonon, representing FD 1 20 Turnpike LLC, said the change responds to declining traditional office demand and would let owners lease to exercise facilities, restaurants and other non-office tenants without repeatedly appearing before the ZBA. "What the applicant is asking for here is... grant a special permit that allows multiple principal uses across the entire property at 118 and 120 Turnpike," Bonon told the board.

Bonon and board members discussed safeguards: site-plan review by the planning board would continue to review parking, septic and layout changes, and the ZBA retains jurisdiction over higher-impact uses that specifically require a separate special permit. Bonon provided a parking analysis showing more than 250 spaces on-site under one count and said even under a conservative assessment there would be an excess of parking under current conditions.

Board members debated precise decision language and whether the permit should explicitly limit approvals to the two buildings on the lot. After refining language to reference the bylaw and the property specifically, the board made and approved a motion to grant the special permit to allow several different uses otherwise permitted in the district. The vote was unanimous among members present.

The decision will be drafted to reflect the bylaw standard (section 174-8(c)(2) and section 174-9) and note that site-plan review and other required approvals remain prerequisites for specific tenant changes.