Planning Board approves minor site‑plan modification at 9 Otis Street to add employee patio

The Westborough Planning Board on June 17 approved a minor modification to the site plan for 9 Otis Street, allowing the applicant to convert some front parking into a small patio and landscaped area for employees while maintaining required handicap spaces and shifting electric‑vehicle spaces.

Tito Colona of Cornerstone Engineering described the change as an infill in front of a rear commercial building: "they're looking to put a small patio out there, and dress it up with some additional landscaping" and said the site would still meet parking requirements because the property has excess parking. He told the board the patio would be six inches above the driveway with a curb to separate the space and that the hydrant access would be preserved with a hatched no‑parking area.

Planner Jenny Gingers and board members asked clarifying questions about the location of handicap parking, EV spaces and the level of the patio; Colona confirmed the existing handicap spaces would remain and the EV stalls would be moved to adjacent locations to maintain the same count.

After discussion, a board member moved that the Planning Board approve the minor modification to the site plan approval dated April 5, 2022 for the property located at 9 Otis Street, referencing plans prepared by Cornerstone Engineering, Inc. dated 11/30/2021 and revised 05/21/2025. The motion was seconded and carried.

The approval included standard condition that all terms of the original site plan approval and subsequent modifications remain in force and that the approval is limited to the modifications shown on the revised site plan. The applicant indicated the change is intended to provide a modest outdoor amenity for employees and to enhance the frontage with landscaping.

Next steps: no additional permits were indicated at the meeting; the applicant thanked the board and the board closed the item.