Developer asks to rezone 1 Research Drive to Highway Business to allow mixed‑use conversion

George Bonon, assistant general counsel for Ferris Development Group, presented a planning‑board sponsored Article 30 to rezone two parcels at 1 Research Drive from Industrial B (with an ID overlay) to Highway Business. Bonon said the owner seeks zoning flexibility so the property can be repurposed with uses that support occupancy — retail, restaurants, exercise facilities and multifamily — after years of low office demand.

"We need the ability to use the uses that the Highway Business Zoning District includes," Bonon said, noting the building is about 30% occupied and that rezoning would enable complementary uses to stabilize assessed values. Ferris described a concept plan with four 5‑story residential buildings totaling 252 units and commercial frontage; Bonon estimated roughly 378 bedrooms and said the firm would pursue subsequent site plan and special‑permit approvals once zoning flexibility is granted.

Board members and staff pressed about spot‑zoning risk, sewer allocation and whether changing a single parcel is the appropriate policy approach. Planning Director Jenny (transcript: "Jenny Gingers") told the board the planning office and town counsel do not view this as prohibited spot zoning because the parcel is large (approx. 25 acres) and the request covers two parcels. Select Board members asked the planning board to consider broader zoning changes that would address area‑wide redevelopment rather than a single‑lot change.

Bonon said the applicant has met with the finance advisory committee and planning board and will appear before the planning board public hearing next week; he asked the Select Board to support the rezoning at town meeting. The Select Board did not take a position at the meeting and encouraged further public hearings and planning‑board vetting before any board endorsement.