Size Increase Cleared For Marlborough Apartment Development

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The Marlborough City Council on Monday made way for a change in the occupancy size of the Green District, an under-construction apartment development located along Simarano Drive.

On Monday, the councilors voted 7-2 to allow a change in the makeup of bedrooms for the second phase of the development. The change would allow developer Post Road Realty, LLC, to increase the number of bedrooms across the total 475 units from 629 to 691 — a nearly 10 percent increase.

"As the Green District was approved pre-COVID, this shift reflects a market demand for
home offices as a larger number of residents work from home on a partial or full-time basis," attorney Brian Falk wrote in a letter to councilors. "Based upon Post Road's experience with other multifamily communities, this shift will have a negligible impact on the overall population of the site, as 2-bedroom units are increasingly used by individuals and couples, with the extra bedroom serving as a dedicated home office."

The council's vote allows the city building commissioner to sign off on the increase. At-Large Councilor Mark Oram spoke out against the increase, saying it might mean an increase in the need for police, fire and school district services for the development.

The Green District developers held a groundbreaking ceremony in July 2021. The multi-phase complex is situated just off an I-495 ramp, and within walking distance to many of the city's biggest employers, including TJX, Hologic and soon BJ's.