After conducting some review and approval for a site plan on Jeffery Street, the Planning Board reopened the Public Hearing for the 555 Hopping Brook project at 7:00pm.

The format for this session was for CRG to present its most current plan for the proposed 800,000 square foot to the Planning Board.

Peter Bemis (above) showed a rendering of the proposed building known as “Project Echo Boston.” (below)

The site plan (below) includes the depiction of maple and spruce trees to be planted around the building and along the top of the 30-foot berm (dark gray area at the top of the drawing).

Bemis went on to state that all lighting would be “dark-sky compliant” with no exterior light set more than 15 feet high.

David Faist (above) of CMG Engineering is the Town’s peer reviewer of the storm water management plan.  He reported that CMG’s is not yet complete because some details have yet to be provided by the developer.  Chip Nylan (below) CRG’s attorney, stated that the developer had recently provided several documents – with the storm water plan as an outstanding item.

Attorney Nylan feels that the developer wants to be a good neighbor and sees “neighbor” as defined by properties in Holliston – while at the same time taking what he sees as reasonable mitigation actions for Medway abutters. He concluded by saying, “this will be a good project for the park and the Town.”

The presentation went on with Mr. Bemis showing a comprehensive plan for to mitigate the impact of traffic, operating noise, construction noise, and ended with the proposed fiscal benefits for Holliston.

If you attended the 60-minute presentation, then you’ve already heard Mr. Bemis read the following.  If not, here’s a few highlights that I noted:

• The building will only be 40 feet high, making it clear this is not a high cube facility.  Alleviating the need for a zoning waiver and meeting all other industrial park zoning by-laws.
• There will be 160 loading docks.
• Average Daily Trip (ADT) will be capped at 1,310.
• Traffic will be monitored by a 3^rd party firm, reporting results to the Town and CRG. 
• Still outstanding is the traffic study requested by the Town that studies the impact of CRG traffic at 13 intersections along Rt. 16 in Holliston.

Town Counsel Jay Talerman (below) opined on Mr. Nylan’s definition of “neighbor”, how Holliston might enforce traffic non-compliance, and how the Board might proceed when they feel that they have enough information to make a final decision on the proposed building.

The Board asked if this presentation should be considered CRG’s “best and final offer.”  Frank Petkunas (below), CRG Regional Head, said that this was not the best and final offer as evidenced by the evolving project plan presented at each subsequent meeting.  He went on to say that the CRG team wants to do what’s reasonable to construct a facility that will be attractive to a desirable tenant.  He ended by saying that he wants the conversation to continue.

The Planning Board is awaiting more information, at least on storm water and Rt. 16 traffic.  The Public Hearing was continued to June 3, 2021 at 7:10pm.