250 Turnpike Road 40B update: peer-review filings posted; hearing continued to April 15

Ferris Development Group’s counsel updated the Town of Southborough Board of Appeals March 18 on the status of the 250 Turnpike Road comprehensive-permit (40B) application and the board agreed to continue the hearing to April 15 and extend the public-hearing close date to April 29.

Brian Charville, general counsel for Ferris Development Group, said the board of health approved the project's septic plan over the winter and that the applicant filed updated full site plans, drainage/stormwater documents and consultant response letters. Charville said the filings include a waiver list (noting an illumination waiver to evaluate lighting under a multifamily standard) and revised responses to peer-review letters from civil and wetlands reviewers; he encouraged the board and peer reviewers to consult the project page for posted materials.

Charville also described design refinements, including narrowing the roadway between detention basins to shorten a wetland crossing. Board members asked about fire access and turning radii; Charville said studies show sufficient room for a fire truck and that sprinkler/turnaround solutions had been addressed.

The applicant filed a letter requesting an extension of the hearing deadline; the board voted to continue the public hearing to April 15 at 7:30 p.m. and to accept an extension through April 29 to allow peer-review exchanges and further substantive discussion at the April meeting. The board did not close the hearing and indicated it will rely on peer-review feedback at the April discussion.