Planning Board approves modification for 1 Lyman Street warehouse after applicant cites upgraded stormwater treatment

The Town of Northborough Planning Board on March 3 approved a modification to the special permit and site-plan approval for a warehouse at 1 Lyman Street, voting unanimously on a motion that made the decision subject to findings of fact 1–8 and conditions A–G.

Lori, planning staff, told the board she had reviewed the applicant's February 23 comment letter and the conservation agent's notes, and that the applicant’s subsequent revisions and a waiver request addressed most outstanding concerns. "I am now satisfied," she said, and confirmed the conservation agent's requested conditions are reflected in the draft decision.

Patrick McCarty of McCarty Companies, representing the applicant, thanked staff for their work and asked the board to accept the revised stormwater plan rather than requiring a conventional deep-sump catch basin. McCarty said the contractor instead proposed small drop-inlet structures paired with a proprietary StormSceptor unit that captures total suspended solids. "We actually exceed — we're about 90%–96% TSS removal," he said, adding the applicant submitted revised calculations to staff.

Board members clarified that the meeting was not reopening site-plan approval and that the board was voting only on the requested modification. The board also approved a minor wording change to the decision language to allow a building to be heated with "natural gas, electricity, or both." Lori agreed to make that edit.

The motion to approve the modification was moved, seconded and passed by roll call with Millie Milton, Carter Brannen, Anthony Zieten, Bill Pierce and the Chair voting yes. After the vote the Chair congratulated the applicant and the applicant thanked the board.

Next steps: the signed decision will be recorded and the applicant will arrange for the required signatures and recordation as discussed with planning staff.