Templeton planning board approves expanded used-car display at Baldwinville Road site

The Town of Templeton Planning Board voted to approve a special permit and site plan review on March 10, 2026, permitting Franklin Park Holdings LLC to expand used-car display operations at a property on Baldwinville Road near 160 Patriots Road.

The decision, carried by roll call, authorized use of the front lawn area for vehicle display in conjunction with existing Class 2 and Class 3 licenses. The board approved the application subject to conditions the members discussed at the hearing, including limits on lighting, installation of landscaped screening and placement of any office trailer out of view from the street.

The applicant told the board the display area comprises roughly a 300-by-100-foot lawn and said the site historically allowed a small number of cars for sale. "It all started because my permit was for 25 cars," the applicant said, adding that under current zoning he seeks to remove that numeric restriction. He described surfacing the display area with crushed concrete or stone, using existing on-site lighting and directing customers to park and enter from the existing paved driveway rather than the public road.

Neighbor Jay Brusso, who identified himself as living at 428 Baldwinville Road, raised concerns about runoff and visibility. "What I really care about is there's nothing leaking into the groundwater," Brusso said. The applicant replied that vehicles for sale would be intact (not crushed) and that runoff would be directed to a lower part of the site that currently collects water; he also offered to construct and maintain a landscaped berm to screen cars from adjacent properties.

At the hearing staff summarized the conditions to be added to the approval: any newly installed lighting must be street-facing-in and down-directed to limit off-site glare; a landscaped earth berm and other screening will be required to reduce visibility from neighboring properties; any mobile office must be located at the rear of the property and out of public view; and the applicant should preserve existing trees where feasible. Staff (Lori) will prepare the written decision reflecting these conditions for review and signatures.

A board member noted a recusal earlier in the hearing; the approval vote recorded three affirmative votes (Dennis, Charlie and Mike). The board closed the public hearing after the vote and moved on to other items. The Planning Board confirmed its next meeting for March 24.

The approved permit allows Franklin Park Holdings LLC to formally expand its Class 2 display area under the conditions set by the board; the written decision will specify the final limitations and any monitoring or maintenance requirements.