WESTBOROUGH – Plans for a Hyundai dealership at 180-182 Turnpike Road are about to kick into high gear.
The Planning Board approved the draft of the site plans in a 4-1 vote on Jan. 17.
Member Hazel Nourse cast the dissenting vote, saying the dealership would have a negative impact on the adjacent Walker Meadows neighborhood.
“I feel this project will be detrimental to the health, welfare and safety of the neighborhood,” she said.
Nourse said she was concerned about an increase in traffic at the site that could lead to light pollution and more noise. She also had objections to the site’s entrance and exit, saying they may not be able to handle the large carriers traveling to and from the site.
“It’s a safety issue,” she said.
The vote capped a process that began with the opening of a public hearing in August 2022 and lasted through 10 continuances. Along the way, the applicant, TTHY Westborough LLC, made many adjustments to its plans in response to concerns from Meadows residents.
Among them were adjustments to the landscaping, including the planting of 18-foot-high trees as screening; no parking allowed along Route 9 and to the lighting, including the maximum height of poles, including the parking area and garage.
Additionally, the garage’s first level will have enclosed walls on the south and southwest sides and there will be snow storage in a designated area. There was some discussion on the definition of a “big” storm and how long the applicant/owner would have to transport snow off site, if necessary.
Other adjustments include an easement for the proposed Boston Worcester Air Line Trail and installation of electric vehicle charging stations.
With the vote, the draft will be updated with the edits made at the Jan. 17 meeting; it will be recorded and made available to the public in 20 days, according to Town Planner Jim Robbins.
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