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Applicant says event traffic at former White Cliffs site would be modest; board pushes for baseline study
Summary
At a May 6 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the applicant for 167 Main Street described attendance patterns at comparable venues and proposed a 250-person cap; board members and staff said a baseline traffic study would be useful given nearby congested intersections.
Paul Tagli Ferry, chair of the Northborough Zoning Board of Appeals, opened a pre-application discussion on May 6 about traffic-analysis requirements for a proposed events use at the former White Cliffs property at 167 Main Street.
Rich Korea, who identified himself as an adviser to Elegant Banquets, told the board the applicant analyzed attendance at a comparable facility and found most events draw well under 250 people. "We had one event with more than 250 people," Korea said, adding that recent counts showed event attendance ranging from about 98 to 134 and vehicle counts typically in the 20s–40s, with occasional buses. He said roughly 40% of guests typically stay at nearby hotels, which he called an added but "inconsequential" local impact.
Board members pressed on whether a formal traffic study would be required when the application is formally filed. Chair Tagli Ferry and several members said an objective baseline traffic study would help the board understand site-specific flows around the Route 20/Brigham/Maple Street area and could inform conditions if the project is approved. "I think it's always helpful to have...a baseline of how many cars are flowing through at different points in the day," Tagli Ferry said.
Members also discussed lower-cost alternatives the applicant could provide, such as an engineer's letter or a shorter technical memo, noting written documentation would strengthen the record and reduce the risk of continuances later. The board emphasized the town's third-party reviewer, Tetra Tech, will review any technical materials submitted and advise whether a full traffic-impact study is warranted.
The board did not take a vote on the pre-application; members framed their comments as guidance for the applicant ahead of a formal filing. The session moved on to the continued public hearing for a separate mixed-use proposal at 1 Church Street.
