Planning board approves 18‑unit special permit at 134 Fisher Street with waivers and affordability conditions

The Town of Westborough Planning Board voted unanimously to approve a special permit for Phase 1 of a residential development at 134 Fisher Street, authorizing 18 one‑bedroom units with several zoning waivers and conditions.

Attorney Peter Barberi, representing property owner Richard Record, told the board the project adds bulkheads to provide basement access and requests waivers for the bulkheads to encroach into a front setback and for reduced building separations. "We're proposing the 18, 1 bedroom units," Barberi said, describing changes to the plan that prompted additional waiver requests.

Planner Jenny Goodrich summarized the draft decision and the specific waivers the board reviewed, noting unit size and parking exceptions. "You've requested a habitable floor area of 576 square feet instead of the required 750 square feet," Goodrich said. The approved conditions also allow one parking space per unit and a reduced total of 28 spaces instead of the 36 the bylaw requires, accompanied by 10 visitor spaces.

As part of the approval, the board required four designated affordable units for Phase 1 and documentation to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities; the planning office will assist with the affordable housing trust and the required marketing and lottery materials. The board agreed a local preference for current Westborough residents and employees may be included in the developer's marketing plan but only "subject to EOHLC approval," Goodrich said.

The decision imposes standard construction and site conditions: the project must be recorded at the registry, performance bond amounts will be set with engineering and DPW review, shop drawings and stormwater details must be submitted for DPW review, and an as‑built plan (PDF and AutoCAD) and a site visit are required before endorsement of any certificate of occupancy. Landscaping and site improvements must be completed prior to final occupancy, though unit‑by‑unit timing may be allowed to account for weather and construction sequencing.

A member moved to approve the special permit "with the changes made this evening," including the front setback waiver; the motion carried on a roll call vote of 5 to 0. The board directed staff to prepare the written decision containing findings and the detailed conditions for distribution to the board and the applicant.

Next steps: the applicant will finalize required permits with DPW and engineering, post any required performance bond, provide as‑built documentation, and satisfy the affordable housing documentation requirements before receiving final occupancy sign‑offs.