Marlborough Walcott Heritage Farm Project Hearing To Continue

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The Marlborough Zoning Board of Appeals will resume a public hearing on a proposed 188-unit development at the Walcott Heritage Farm site along the Boston Post Road next week.

The developer, Connecticut-based Waypoint, wants to build an apartment complex with 128 one-bedroom and 60 two-bedroom units, with about 15 percent of the project set aside as affordable. The property would be called Volaris Marlborough.

Some in Marlborough are opposed to the project. A group of residents started a Change.org petition, which had been signed by almost 1,100 people as of Thursday morning. Concerns range from increased Route 20 traffic to the loss of open space, which is also known as the McGee property.

"Can you imagine that many more cars choking Rt 20 during rush hour?" the petition says. "Can you imagine living behind there on Helen Drive, for example, and seeing that complex looming behind you? Can you imagine taking the ONE area of green space away from that part of the city?"

Waypoint is seeking a special permit from the ZBA to build in a floodplain. The development first went to the ZBA on June 30. The Aug. 10 hearing is the second continuation of that hearing. The project was presented to City Council on July 20.