Westwood, Dedham Officials to Review Allied Drive Building Proposal

Officials in Westwood and Dedham will meet on Monday night to discuss the construction of a building that lies across the borders of the two towns. 

The Westwood and Dedham Planning Boards and the Westwood Conservation Commission will review a proposal that looks to demolish the building located at 40 Allied Dr. and construct a new, two-story building for Shields Health Care Group with approximately 66,000 sq. ft. of floor space and associated parking.

"I think it's a great proposal," said Westwood Town Planner Nora Lougnane. "I don't see any negative side to it at all. 

Two-thirds of the building lie in Dedham with the remaining being located in Westwood, though many Westwood properties surround the area, according to Loughnane and a Boston.com report. The percentage would remain about the same after the new building is finished. 

The joint meeting allows for each town board to have its own hearing, Loughnane said, reviewing the application in question and coming to a joint resolution. 

"It saves time and makes sure there are no misunderstandings, and nothing gets lost in translation," she said. "If there are some changes that are necessary, if they need to change things or move parking spaces or landscaping items, anything like that, the boards could hear it together."

Westwood officials will look at an application requesting a permit for the proposal, filed by Greater Boston Musculoskeletal Center Real Estate Company, LLC, the owners of the property. 

Loughnane says the proposal is a strong one because it would move the building further away from wetlands in the area, as well as include sufficient parking and improved lanscaping. 

Vehicular access, though, will be on the Dedham side of the property, and as such Westwood will not have to review that portion of the proposal. 

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the .