Developer seeks rezoning of One Research Drive for mixed‑use redevelopment

Ferris Development Group presented a request to rezone the property known as One Research Drive from Industrial B and an Industrial D overlay to the Highway Business district, the Planning Board heard Feb. 17. The applicant said the change would permit retail, restaurants, fitness uses and multifamily housing intended to increase activity along Route 9 and support office tenancy.

The applicant, George Bonan, told the board the concept plan depicts four five‑story residential buildings of about 63 units each (252 units total) and two commercial buildings at the street to activate the frontage. "Highway Business ... allows a broader range of neighborhood‑serving commercial uses like retail, restaurant, fitness, and residential," Bonan said, arguing such a mix can strengthen occupancy and the tax base.

Board members asked questions about the scope and potential impacts. Christina Keller noted concerns about infrastructure and school impacts given other planned housing in the area; Bonan and David Ferris said the proposal is primarily a rezoning request and that any specific project would return for site‑level permitting and reviews including traffic, utilities, stormwater and public safety. "Any future project would return for a full permitting process," Bonan said.

The hearing was left open and continued to the board's March 3 meeting so absent members can participate and to allow the applicant to supply additional materials; no formal project approvals were requested or granted at the Feb. 17 session. The board emphasized that rezoning would not itself approve a project and that design, buffering and circulation would be evaluated during permitting.

Next steps: the Planning Board will revisit the rezoning application on March 3; if the board votes to endorse the zoning change it could appear on the March 21 annual town meeting warrant.