TOWN MEETING: Groton Inn Concept Plan Approved [with video]
The Concept Plan for the Groton Inn property, proposed by 128 Main Street LLC principals Chris Ferris of Ipswich and Rich Cooper of Marblehead, sailed through the Fall Town Meeting approval process by unanimous vote with little discussion and no handouts showing the plan for voters to review regarding what would happen on the historic site in the center of Groton.
Planning Board member Russ Burke told voters that the Planning Board fully supported the article and stressed that a Concept Plan is just that, one that enables an applicant to bring forward concepts for what they want to do before the Planning Board and all the other town boards for review and refinement. He stressed that the plans for the highly visible site would be presented at many public meetings before any definitive plan or any permits are issued.
The Concept Plan proposes to redevelop the Groton Inn property to include a three-story, 24-room nn and a 50-seat restaurant. In addition, the proposal calls for 30 short and long term rental cottages as well as a fitness area and a caretaker's residence.
According to Ferris, the restaurant would be a 'gastro pub' designed to serve the guests of the Inn, serving breakfast to start, and later dinners. There is also a plan for a 3K sq. ft. recreation area that would not be open to the public. The first floor would be used for yoga, Pilates and art exhibits that would be open to the public; the second floor would house the care takers residence. Ferris stressed that he would work closely with the Historic District Commission regarding demolishing the old building.
Resident Becky Pine asked about the lack of a hardcopy handout showing the plan for the overall site, commenting, "I was expecting to see plans so we would know what the buildings would look like." Attorney Robert Ancil said he would post his power point slides on the town website.
Pine also asked what the eight short-term rentals, located behind the inn would look like. Ferris responded that the they would feature a porch and would be 600 to 800 sq. ft. in size, and would be bedrooms with a bath. He added they would be "luxury suites."
Resident Brooks Lyman questioned whether or not 128 Main Street LLC had passed papers on the property and was told they had not although the agreement between owner George Pergantis and the 128 Main Street LLC was tight.
Concerned about any impact of the longer-term, two bedroom on the schools, resident Richard Hewitt asked how long people would stay in the rental units. Anctil replied that they were three-month rentals and added that he was looking to establish an agreement with Lawrence Academy for some of the rentals. He added, "Two-bedroom units do not attract kids."
