"Forest Park" Mixed Use Overlay Endorsed; Includes 350 Apartments

The "Forest Park" mixed use overlay was recommended to the City Council by a unanymous vote of the Urban Affairs Committee Tuesday night.

“I have never been a fan of overlay dist but this one is diff. This is really going into an are of town that needs some help," said City Council President Patricia Pope. "We are getting an opportunity to create something for the Marlborough of the future instead of treading water.”

Forest Park developers are seeking to build 350 residential units as part of a 110 acre multi-use campus on the former HP campus. The development will give the city $3 million in net tax revenue annually once it is fully built out.

The members of the Urban Affairs Committee were positive about the development and what it means for the city.

"I think it is one of the best things to come along in a long time for the city," said Councilor Joseph Delano.

Councilor Matt Elder said while he had been initially hesitant about another 350 apartment units coming into the city, he had grown to understand and appreciate the plan.

"I’m certainly in favor of this project," he said.

The complex will also further establish the city as a prime location for additional growth, said many of the councilors.

“We’re not in the boonies anymore... we have people who want to come out here now,” said Councilor Edward Clancy. “It is only going to help taxpayers by having large industries out here.”

Discussion during the third meeting about the proposal centered around control over what would go into the complex. Medicinal marijuana dispensaries and drug detoxification centers will be restricted in the final language of the overlay.

The unanymous vote sends the overlay to the city solicitor to review before it is put to the City Council for a vote.