Paramount's plan is currently under review with the town's conservation commission. The company had originally filed a plan with the state under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act for a 191,400-sf mixed-use project that would include retail and office space, a restaurant and light manufacturing space. However, the state had problems with the site's accessibility as well as its proximity to wetlands.
In Paramount's new plan, the developer plans on acquiring a 5.9-acre parcel that abuts its original site. A McDonalds that was on that site is relocating. The additional land enables Paramount to change the access to its project and move it further away from the nearby traffic circle.
Paramount's new proposal offers two options for space usage. The first option involves 164,000-sf of retail space, a 6,000-sf restaurant and 80,000-sf of research and development space. The second option eliminates the restaurant, and reduces the retail space to 90,000 sf. According to Richard McCarthy, the town planner, MEPA regulations require a developer to demonstrate a full build option and a reduced build option.
McCarthy tells GlobeSt.com that this area is zoned for business development and the town "wants to see this parcel developed for business purposes." But, he adds, "of this magnitude-it's hard to say." McCarthy notes that there are a number of issues the developer will have to address--such as impact to abutters, traffic and drainage concerns. The project backs up to a residential area and will take away the woodlands that separate the two areas. "It will change the view from night to day," he says. McCarthy says that local opposition to the project is already building. "I've received phone calls from people in that area," he says. The project has not yet been formally filed with the planning board.
Across the street Wal-Mart--which is located in the 300-acre Paramount Business Park--has been fighting abutters to its store. The retail giant wants to expand its 90,000-sf store to a 207,000-sf superstore. Abutters have already filed two appeals, in which the zoning board of appeal's decision to approve the expansion was upheld. The abutters have recently filed a third appeal to the supreme judicial court.
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