Council approves 475-unit Green District expansion in 9-2 vote

MARLBOROUGH — October 23, 2023 — Marlborough Council clears 475-unit Green District expansion 9-2 amid affordable-housing dissent. The Council approved a special permit for Post Road Realty LLC, represented by attorney Brian Falk, to build Phases 3 and 4 at Simarrano Drive and Cedar Hill Street, with 754 parking spaces and 4,800 square feet of commercial. The permit cuts the affordable set-aside from 15 percent to 10 percent and routes $1.2 million — $50,000 for each of 24 forgone affordable units — into the Westside Fire Station Stabilization Account. Councilor Mark A. Oram voted no, saying the fire station "is going to cost more" than the buyout produces; Councilor John J. Irish also opposed. Conditions require a Simarrano Drive crosswalk, a Green District Boulevard realignment to reduce wetland impact, and updated Phase 1 parking data. Earlier, Councilor Wagner reported the municipal aggregation program saved residents over $2 million in Q2 2023, with a new First Point Power contract starting February 2024 at 14.15 cents per kilowatt-hour.