In another move to help the town of Burlington be competitive in the industry of life sciences the Planning Board approved a special permit for a new laboratory building in Northwest Park.
The application was for the “development of an approximately 270,000 square foot bio-science, office, lab and manufacturing development with associated surface parking and updated stormwater management system, site utilities and landscaped areas to accommodate the growing life science industry” at 25 Network Drive. The site is currently undeveloped.
Todd Freemont-Smith, Senior Vice President of Development and Director of Mixed-Use Projects for Nordblom, the entity that owns the property, said the project is part of the company’s push to attract more life science and biotech companies.
“We are chasing life sciences at Network Drive,” he said. “It is a huge part of the real estate market now. The office space is shrinking a bit but lab space is growing.”
During the final meeting on the project members of the Board of Selectmen said they had few remaining questions. One concern raised was approving the project without knowing the eventual tenet and what types of chemicals and other materials they will have on site.
Fremont-Smith and Attorney Bob Buckley assured the board they would return when they selected a potential tenant. Any business that has any types of hazardous materials would also need approval from the Board of Health.
Planning Director Kristin Kassner had a handful of items she wanted her department and the landlord to follow-up on, including pedestrian safety at the entrances and whether or not a signal will need to be put into place.
In the end the board approved the project.
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