Weston Planning Board advances Riverside lab rezoning to April 14 continuation

WESTON — March 31, 2021 — Weston Planning Board advances Riverside lab rezoning amid skepticism it can clear May Town Meeting. Greatland Realty Partners brought consultants on lab use, noise, air quality and traffic to a second hearing on rezoning the former Liberty Mutual buildings at 20 Riverside Road; Kevin Sheehan estimated the project would generate more than $1 million annually in new taxes and pledged $1 million in escrow for Park Road safety improvements. Chair Alicia Primer pressed VHB traffic consultant Lorenzo Dantas on a 15 percent rise in daily trips (2,345 to 2,690), and member Steven Oppenheimer said he was "a little uncomfortable with the developer's attorney drafting a bylaw for the town of Weston." The board voted 4-0 to continue the hearing to April 14 and scheduled the official April 28 hearing on a separate Transit-Oriented Multiple Dwelling Overlay allowing 20 units per acre by right and up to 50 by special permit. The board also closed the 18 Columbine Road drainage hearing without ordering the drywell sought by abutters' counsel Walter Foster, and approved evergreen screening at 1 Stone Ridge Lane and 8 Lawrence Road.