Marlborough project similar to developer’s plans in Winchester
MARLBOROUGH — The company behind a controversial development in Winchester is now proposing a similar project for Marlborough’s Main Street.
The Zaremba Group of Cleveland has proposed building a 9,100-square-foot building to house a Dollar General store at 82 Main St. in place of a 150-year-old farmhouse.
That home is owned by William and Theresa Thomas, who have lived there for 60 years. It sits just east of downtown near the intersection of Main and Canada streets on a large lot.
William Thomas said a company working with Zaremba approached him in the spring of 2010 about buying the property and has since done extensive surveying of the land.
It’s an old home in need of many repairs, and the company made him a fair offer, said William Thomas.
The development would include a parking lot, bringing the total project size to 31,680 square feet, according to the company’s application. The zoning board requires a special exception for any project that exceeds 10,000 square feet total.
Zaremba submitted its application with the town’s zoning board earlier this month. The board, along with the town’s planning board, will hold a joint public hearing Wednesday, Dec. 7, on the project.
Zaremba officials could not be reached for comment.
The current single-family home is about 2,800 square feet and has an attached barn, according to William Thomas.
Zaremba has also proposed tearing down a 200-year-old house at 71 Main St. in Winchester’s historic district to build a Dollar General, which has generated debate among residents and town officials.
Opponents say the building has historic value, while the owners say they cannot afford the cost of repairs to the home. The project in Marlborough could face an easier approval process because the site is not within a historic district.
Last month, Winchester’s zoning board unanimously ruled the house can be demolished, but only after plans for the new building are approved by the town’s historic commission.
Winchester’s historic commission this summer denied Zaremba’s application, only to be overturned by the zoning board. A group of five property owners is now asking the zoning board to reconsider its decision to allow the demolition.
The nearest Dollar General is in Brattleboro on Route 9.
The company is being represented locally for both projects by attorney Silas Little of Peterborough.
u The Marlborough hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. at the town offices, 236 Main St.
Abby Spegman can be reached at 352-1234, extension 1409, or aspegman@keenesentinel.com
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6 comments:
I bet they accept it with open arms. Other towns are good at accepting change and growing.I cant wait to see the bulldozers when they show up at 71 Main st.
So why hasn't Winchester grown with these same people at the helm for over a decade? Is it because they have held the town back and not allowed business unless there was something on the dole for them? This chain of dollar stores offers nothing that you can't buy at WalMart for less and they provide what 3-4 jobs.. wow, set off the cannons that will surely make a HUGE dent in the unemployment rate.
They also bump out businesses like RITE AID. Because they sell the same products, less the pharmacy. So, how does that benefit Winchester?
The paper announced that the town is changing their venue to accommodate the crowd they are expecting to show up to this hearing. It will be curious to note how many residence in Marlborough will be concerned or in favor.
Wanna bet this too will end up in court?
Why didn't Sharra sell her land to Tractor Supply when they came knocking? Did want to hurt her snowmobile buddy Gary with his over price junk.
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