Westborough consultants present downtown concept plan, recommend ‘triangle’ rotary redesign

Consultants hired by the Town of Westborough on Wednesday presented a concept plan for downtown that pairs a recommended “triangle” redesign for the rotary with zoning changes, pedestrian and bike improvements and a program of economic incentives.

Jenny Gringus, town planner for the Town of Westborough, introduced the project and said the plan was funded through an EOHLC grant under the Housing Choice program and built from the town master plan; she described extensive outreach including two public workshops, a high-school workshop and a public scavenger-hunt survey. "We talked to hundreds of people," Gringus said, noting the outreach informed a consensus vision for the downtown.

Eric Halverson, principal at RKG Associates, told the boards the study shows strong market fundamentals for downtown investment: Westborough’s population grew by about 16% in the last decade and, using UMass Donahue projections, the town is expected to add roughly 750 residents over the next 10 years. "Those trends suggest there is both daytime and residential demand for a more active downtown," Halverson said.

RKG presented three traffic alternatives for the rotary — a traditional roundabout, a larger grid-style redesign and a middle-ground “triangle” concept. The team said modeling improved intersection performance from a grade characterized in the presentation as “F” (failing) today to about a “B” or “C” under the triangle concept, reducing queues during peak hours. Halverson said the triangle preserves the rotary’s central public-space function while improving vehicle flow and creating space for programmed green areas.

The consultants also recommended narrowing travel lanes where possible, closing sidewalk gaps, adding marked pedestrian crossings and on-street bike facilities and parking. Halverson recommended clearer signage to municipal lots and improved wayfinding so visitors can find parking without unnecessary circulation. He said the final plan will include specific locations for bike parking and suggestions for on-street bike facilities.

On zoning, RKG and zoning subconsultant Innis Associates flagged a conflict between three existing base zoning districts in the study area (Downtown Business BB, IA/IB industrial remnants and an M1 designation for town-owned parcels) and the Depot Downtown Planning Overlay District (DPOD). The consultants recommended either aligning the underlying zones to the BB district or replacing the base zones with a new downtown development district that codifies DPOD priorities as the base standard.

Board members praised the outreach but pressed for more detail on implementation. Members asked whether Milk Street South could become a pedestrian zone and how property access and adjacent parking would be preserved; consultants said options such as a driveway or one-way vehicle access could be explored in the next engineering phase. Members also asked about parking enforcement, restriping and short-term parking limits; Halverson said the town’s parking study would be built on and enforcement strategies (including possible metering) would be part of implementation discussions.

Several members raised infrastructure concerns. One member asked how sewer capacity would be allocated if downtown zoning enables more multifamily housing; the board was told the final plan will include an implementation matrix with prioritization, estimated costs and likely responsible parties. Members also urged that the plan address truck routing and the low railroad bridge, both of which are choke points for downtown circulation.

Public commenters supported clearer overlay zoning and asked how existing nonconforming uses would be treated if the town recodified downtown rules. Staff answered that nonconforming uses typically may continue but restrictions often apply on ownership changes and that enforcement practice can affect outcomes.

Next steps include finalizing the plan this month, seeking additional grant funding for detailed engineering of the rotary and bridge area, and preparing an implementation matrix that lists priorities, timing (short/medium/long), likely assignees and order-of-magnitude costs. Halverson estimated construction and full implementation of major transportation elements could take five or more years, depending on funding and state approvals.

The consultant presentation and draft materials will be shared with staff for broader public distribution and follow-up engagement around wayfinding, code language and engineering design.