Planning Board Approves Life Science Facility on Site of Former Bedford Glen Hotel

June 15, 2022

The Bedford Planning Board Tuesday unanimously approved a site plan for a proposed 294,000-square-foot life-science facility at 44 Middlesex Turnpike—the former Bedford Glen Hotel.

Attorney Mark Vaughan of the firm Riemer & Braunstein presented a proposal on behalf of Camber Development, a Boston firm that specializes in life-science facilities and previously developed one at 125 Middlesex Turnpike.

Bedford Glen Hotel, a Doubletree that opened more than 45 years ago as a Stouffer’s hotel, closed earlier this year in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The proposed project would consist of two buildings approximately 40 feet high with a 20-foot mezzanine within the building, as well as a 16-foot rooftop penthouse that would remain within the zoning bylaw’s 56-foot height maximum.

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The site plan includes a sidewalk on Middlesex Turnpike with parking at the southern and eastern portions of the property, as well as added circulation around the perimeter to provide additional Fire Department access and a more formal emergency connection to the adjacent MITRE campus.

Although the building footprint would double from 10 to 20 percent of the site, the proposal would still be within the maximum 25 percent.

Under the proposal, the wetland buffer would be reduced by roughly 4 percent. Stormwater runoff would flow into adjacent wetlands and landscaped areas, while runoff from the roof and parking areas would be directed to subsurface infiltration systems.

Dave Wilkinson, a Camber managing partner, and site engineer Conor Nagle noted that the plan will be further reviewed by the Conservation Commission next week.

The site team has made a particular effort to address concerns about maintaining current access points as well as a buffer zone between the site and the surrounding wetlands.

The proposal also includes the use of retaining walls to create more level terraces which would require individual building permits.

Matt Kealey of civil engineering company Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. confirmed that a traffic study was conducted at the site location, which determined that the plan would negligibly impact traffic flow.

Wilkinson noted that the project team has reached out to abutters and will maintain contact with them as the project progresses.

He also explained that while greenhouse gas reduction would be within the control of the tenants, the campus has been designed to allow for alternative energy sources should tenants choose to use them.

Catherine Perry, Bedford’s assistant planning director, praised the team’s efforts to fit the project within the site’s zoning limitations, particularly with respect to the neighboring wetlands. She also asked that the developer provide designs for the planned bicycle racks.

Board member Amy Lloyd expressed concern that the property lacked proper shade and suggested the addition of either more trees or a “cooling apparatus.” She also recommended adding a pedestrian path on the southern side of the property. The project team agreed to consider both possibilities.

Board member Jacinda Barbehenn commended the plan and recommended that Camber Development join the Middlesex 3 Coalition, given its role in multiple properties within Bedford.

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