|
|
Photo Michael Iacuessa
The Pilgrim Spring Motel is scheduled for demolition. Planned in its place is an industrial park. |
|
|
Motel slated to become industrial park
Michael Iacuessa
Banner Correspondent
The Pilgrim Spring Motel on Route 6 is closing its doors today. Planned in its place is a 35-unit industrial park, something many town officials say is badly needed in Truro.
“It was singled out as one of the most needed facilities in town by the local comprehensive plan released last year,” said Joel Searcy, co-owner of the property.
Searcy, along with Ben Silva and Paul Sousa, purchased the land from the motel earlier this year. The three are operating under the name Tri-S Properties. Sousa also owns Bayberry Gardens and Silva runs Silva Construction.
The plan calls for the motel, which has existed for 40 years, to be demolished. In its place, Tri-S hopes to build four buildings to rent space out to small contractors such as local electricians, plumbers and cabinet makers. The spaces will range from 900 to 1,800 square feet, will be heated and will include a small bathroom.
Since the project is over 10,000 square feet in scope, it means an automatic referral to the Cape Cod Commission. The first public hearing on the project will be Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Given that it jibes so closely with Truro’s comprehensive plan, the project is expected to have considerable support.
Selectman Curtis Hartman welcomed it.
“For those who start out in their garage and eventually need more space, there is no place they can go now except Eastham,” said Hartman, who chaired the committee that re-wrote the comprehensive plan.
“It is a long and detailed document but of all the things we talked about affordable housing and a tradesman’s park were the things that most resonated with people in the community. Keeping tradespeople and working people here is the best thing we can do to preserve the community,” he said.
The existing 44-room motel is spread out among three buildings totaling 16,000 square feet in all. The industrial park’s four buildings will cover 36,000 square feet. It is a 3.49-acre parcel of land.
Tana Watt, project planner for the Commission, said the first order of business will be to determine whether the proposed project represents a greater impact than the motel did. If not, the Commission will not need to review the project any longer. If it is determined to have greater impacts, the Commission will focus its study on those areas.
The Commission is looking at the usual areas: water resources, natural resources, community character, historic preservation and transportation. However, Watt said if other issues are raised at the public hearing, those could be studied as well.
Searcy believes it is the only land in Truro left than can be put to such a use. He said building plans were designed so as to conceal the park as much as possible from the view of Route 6 and not intrude on residential areas.
Depending on the permitting process and the weather, Searcy said he hopes to have the first building ready for occupancy early next year.
|
Chief steps down
In the News
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 7th, 2006