"It's a very positive indication of what's happening locally, and hopefully with our economy as a whole," said Town Planner Kathy Joubert, who said a number of projects are in the works for Northborough. "We are seeing a lot of redevelopment as a whole, particularly in downtown. There has been quite a flurry around and right after Town Meeting."
The Gulf station at 15 Main St. will be temporarily closed, as it is dismantled and rebuilt in the form of a Cumberland Farms convenience and gas center. The station will no longer be a service station, but rather a convenience store with gas pumps. The ZBA has approved a sign for the building in the event that it opens 24 hours, which developers are tentatively planning. Construction will begin this summer, said Joubert.
A local developer is also planning to construct a small commercial building at 9 Monroe St., which many know as the Doyle Photography Studio. This local developer, who has met with the design committee, plans on a medical facility for the location.
Local developer Jim Vogel has met with planners and began the application process for a proposal for 61 and 65 West Main St. (the former Pierce Gas station). Vogel plans on erecting two buildings, one a mixed commercial use, and the other a two-story with commercial use on the first floor and apartments on the second.
Staff is in the process of working on a minor site plan review for Dunkin Donuts at 70 Main St. Owners are looking to add a third curb cut, adding a second exit and second drive-up window to the premises.
New England Baseball, which had its plans to move into the Indian Meadow area denied last year, is working with owners of East Coast Driving Range at 333 Southwest Cutoff. Located across from the entrance to Northborough Crossing, the baseball training facility will include three commercial buildings in the front, and three baseball diamonds behind the buildings. Special permits for the commercial use buildings were granted by the ZBA.
Iron Mountain, a paper company that has been located on Bearfoot Road for many years, is planning to expand, building a more than 300,000 square foot building for digital storage. Iron Mountain plans to meet with planners in June to begin the design of the massive structure, said Joubert.
While "residential development has been on the slow side," according to Joubert, a property is beng developed at 150 Church Street that will include four house lots.