Foxfield Redevelopment Clears Hurdles with Zoning Board of Appeals

A plan to redevelop Foxfield Plaza located at the Foxborough-Mansfield town line has received an important approval from the Foxborough Zoning Board of Appeals.

Thursday night, the board issued three permits and a variance to FM Partners on the condition that the group can get their plan approved by the planning board and conservation commission.

Preliminary plans for the space has the developer demolishing Foxboro Furniture to make way for a 139-room Hampton Inn and space for two restaurants and three office pads.

In addition, a third of the strip mall would be demolished, with the remaining structure going through a renovation inside and outside.

As for what will happen to the current tenants? Jeffrey Saletin, of Saletin Real Estate Group, said he hopes to start making contact with the current business owners at the plaza this weekend

“It’s somewhat of a white elephant, but there are some very nice people occupying those businesses and we want a dialog with each and every one of them to see what their plans are. We’re hoping that they’ll want to stay and we’ll have a dialog,” Saletin said.

The proposal drew no oppositions from those in attendance. One abutter to the property said he likes that the plan it addresses the cars that use the plaza as a cut through between Central Street and Foxborough Boulevard. Raised platforms will be installed as part of the renovation to discourage vehicles from traveling at a high speed.

Through a correspondence with Building Inspector Bill Casbarra, Town Manager Bill Keegan expressed his support for the redevelopment, as did the planning board.