Council approves Best Fitness permit to add Recovery Wellness Spa with medical staff; questions on facilities and signage noted

The Woburn City Council on March 19 approved a modification to a previously issued special permit for Best Fitness to allow a Recovery Wellness Spa to operate adjacent to the fitness center at 350 Cambridge Road.

Attorney Joseph Tabby presented the petition on behalf of the applicant; Adam Campana of Recovery Wellness Spa described services the spa would offer, including intravenous fluids administered by licensed nurse practitioners, infrared sauna, cold plunges, compression therapy, hydrofacials and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Campana said the spa would have licensed nurses and a medical director on-site and estimated the maximum simultaneous occupancy at about 14 people with up to four staff.

Councilors asked whether licensed medical staff would be present and whether the single bathroom shown on floor plans would be adequate. Building Commissioner Tom Quinn told the council that plumbing and sanitary facilities will be reviewed under 248 CMR at plan review and that any deficiencies must be corrected to meet the plumbing code. Councilor Campbell and others asked that the item go to committee for closer review of signage and operations; ultimately a motion to grant the special permit with three recommended conditions and one finding was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The council also discussed signage area: the application included a proposed 53.1-square-foot sign for Recovery Wellness Spa; when combined with Best Fitness signage the total proposed sign area is 321.43 sq ft, which the petitioner said remains below the site-specific allowance cited in the filing.

Next steps: plan review and building permit submissions will address plumbing and occupancy details; the special permit was approved subject to the conditions recorded in the council file.