WESTBOROUGH – After several months of discussion, the Planning Board is nearing a resolution with developer Farooq Ansari regarding Village Commons.
As part of the deal, the town would receive the parcel at 190-212 Oak St., currently owned by Ansari, for open space. Ansari has withdrawn, without prejudice, his site plan application for the parcel. He will also provide a deed of the parcel for the town, as well as a professional survey.
Ansari had planned to develop the site into Hana Place that would comprise 12 units across two buildings, along with 27 off-street parking spaces.
In exchange, Ansari would receive a density bonus for four additional units at 1 Gleason St., for a total of 19 units in one building at Village Commons.
He said the plans for the new units are “in the works,” and could be ready for presentation when the Planning Board meets in August.
Ansari also promised to finish work at Village Commons, including the clubhouse and the lighting.
Several Village Commons residents came before the Planning Board on July 18 to say that the work was not being done.
They were also concerned about the additional units adding traffic and subtracting privacy. The residents requested a barrier between the two developments.
If the special permit for Village Commons is not approved by the town, Ansari may re-apply his application for 190-212 Oak St.
The board voted to continue the public hearing to modify the special permit for Village Commons to Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Also, Ansari is required to come before the Design Review Board to discuss changes to lighting and the proposed playground. According to Jennifer Gingras, the town’s director of planning, “a date for that has not been set yet, as we are waiting for the applicant to submit the revised plans.”
