We are writing in opposition to the 290 West Main Street project, which proposes a gas station at the intersection of West Main Street and School Street.

The character of our neighborhood is at stake as well as the character of the town! Consistent with the agricultural zoning of this location, the character of the surrounding neighborhood is residential, quiet and wooded, with streets that are dark at night (no streetlights), some with no sidewalks and minimal traffic. The area is clean, and so is the air. Families and young children walk and bike in the streets, along with runners and dog walkers, free from concern about commercial deliveries. School Street itself is deemed a scenic road.

The intersection of School and West Main is already very busy — try driving up West Main after 4 p.m.! Presently, it only has a garden center with a quaint café, and a longstanding, unobtrusive water tower that adds no traffic, noise or light pollution. All this will change drastically if the proposal goes through. It also will set a precedent that a gas station could be plopped into any neighborhood in this town, with all its environmental issues.

Are we saying not in our backyards? Darn right we are! We purchased homes in this area in part because of the look and feel of the neighborhood. The backyards in this neighborhood abut quiet wetlands and a scenic road. We are only a few hundred yards away from beautiful Lake Maspenock. Admittedly, we could use more businesses in town, but the character of entire neighborhoods should not be altered in exchange for a few tax dollars. So no, we do not want a gas station in an agriculturally zoned area!

The developer is taking a shortcut by requesting a “use variance” for a gas station and convenience store in an area currently zoned agricultural rather than going through the formal zoning change process. If the use variance is accepted, there will not be a vote at Town Meeting. Therefore, the time to oppose this is now!

The Board of Appeals will consider this request at an in-person, public meeting on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. Please attend this meeting.

— The Green, Fitzpatrick, Kelley, Applebaum and Grant families, Hopkinton direct abutters

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