Developers seek rezoning of 1 Research Drive to permit mixed‑use redevelopment; planning board agrees to place article on warrant

Ferris Development Group presented a rezoning request to the Westborough Planning Board to change the zoning of 1 Research Drive (and an adjacent detention basin parcel) from an Industrial ID overlay to the Highway Business (BA) district. The developer said rezoning would allow mixed uses — retail, multifamily, fitness, restaurants — to reactivate an underused 283,000‑square‑foot office building and the large surrounding parking area.

Brian Charbel (chief operating officer) and David Ferris (founder) told the board the property has been difficult to lease post‑COVID and that adding complementary retail and residential uses would help attract tenants and increase the town’s tax base. The presenters described a concept of filling portions of surface parking with four residential buildings and retail that would create amenities to serve tenants and draw local activity to the corridor.

Board members expressed support for exploring the rezoning as a catalyst for broader corridor study and redevelopment, asked staff to prepare specific warrant language and mapping, and authorized a motion to add an article to the annual town‑meeting warrant to amend the Highway Business district boundaries to include the subject parcels. Staff placed the rezoning request on the warrant in holding status and will refine the map and article language before finalization.

Next steps: staff will prepare the zoning‑map amendment language and exhibit for the warrant, coordinate notice and review processes, and the article will go to town meeting for voter consideration.