Committees approve hospice road race permit; childcare special permit returned for further mitigation language

WOBURN — Multiple committees acted Sept. 9 on permit matters: a longstanding hospice road race was approved and a proposed childcare special permit was sent back for action to finalize mitigation language.

The committee approved a special-event permit for the Friends of Hospice 27th annual road race and health walk, scheduled for Oct. 6, 2024, operating out of the Irish American Club. The event organizer told the committee they expect "upwards of 300 folks," mostly walkers, with 40–50 runners for a five-mile race and a three-mile walk; the permit was approved by voice vote.

Separately, the Special Permits Committee considered a petition to open an approximately 8,500–10,000 sq. ft. childcare center (Launch and Learn Educare) within an existing building and discussed engineering, drainage and traffic mitigation. Committee conditions added language requiring solid-panel fencing around playground areas, dark-sky-compliant exterior lighting, primary egress and drop-off directed to Cedar Street with written notice to parents, and escorting students into and out of the facility. Because some pedestrian-signal upgrades fall under MassDOT or other external jurisdictions, the committee voted to send the petition back for action so mitigation language and timing can be finalized before approval and occupancy.