Wayland EDC forwards self-storage rezoning to Select Board despite resident pushback

WAYLAND — January 12, 2024 — Wayland EDC advances self-storage rezoning and $600,000 Route 20 sidewalk article to Select Board. The Economic Development Committee voted 3-1 Friday to submit a zoning amendment creating a Business B1 sub-district covering only 193 Commonwealth Road, allowing retail self-storage with a 3 percent community-space carve-out for Arts Wayland; remote member Brad Young dissented. More than a dozen residents and abutters urged the panel to stand down, with Sudbury self-storage operator Quentin Mellon warning the change is "a decision for the courts" as illegal spot zoning, and developer Joe Strazula calling the lack of village sewer "the tail that is wagging the dog." Chair Becky Stanizzi said the filing was procedural and that proponents are preparing a citizens petition as a backup. The committee also unanimously forwarded a Route 20 curb-cut and sidewalk design article, revised down from $825,000 to roughly $600,000 after DPW Director Tom Holder trimmed the scope.