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Planning Board continues hearing on proposed disability services and vocational education facility at 352 Turnpike Road
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Summary
The Planning Board opened a major site-plan public hearing for a nonprofit educational use at 352 Turnpike Road — converting roughly 17,430 sq. ft. on the third floor to a specialized educational facility with accessory residential units for program participants. The board continued the hearing to Feb. 9, 2026 and requested a lighting plan, fire/life-safety third‑party review, and examples of comparable facilities.
The Planning Board on Jan. 26 opened and then continued a public hearing on a major site-plan application by Disability Assistance and Vocational Education, Inc. The proposed change of use would convert about 17,430 square feet on the building's third floor into a specialized educational facility with an accessory residential component for program participants.
Attorney George Bonon told the board the organization seeks to provide "disability assistance, life skills coaching, and vocational/job readiness education together with supportive services designed to improve the independence and employability of program participants." He said the residential units are ancillary and intended as temporary or transitional accommodations for participants enrolled in the program; some participants may need overnight or 24‑hour support while in the program.
The applicant provided parking and septic calculations and agreed to comply with a third‑party fire and life‑safety engineering review requested by the Fire Department. Planning staff confirmed the Board of Health had reviewed septic calculations and suggested coordination with the building commissioner on parking and life-safety details. The board also discussed whether the residential units could be eligible for the state's subsidized housing inventory (SHI) if the facility secures the appropriate state certifications; the applicant will explore that possibility with town staff.
Board members asked for a lighting plan, examples of comparable nonprofit residential/educational facilities, and clarity on the applicant’s corporate structure to confirm the primary educational purpose. Attorney Bonon said the corporate articles were filed to pursue nonprofit status that aligns with the project's educational mission and pledged to submit the requested materials before the next hearing.
The board voted to continue the hearing to 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2026 to allow the applicant to provide the lighting plan, relevant comparable cases and coordination with town counsel on Dover/SHI questions.
