NATICK - The Planning Board is backing a proposal from an engineering and scientific consulting firm to build its East Coast headquarters on Rte. 9.
Last week, the board approved plans from Exponent to build at 1065-1071 and 1187 Worcester St.
"It's so great to have Exponent stay in Natick and expand," said board Chairman Andrew Meyer.
The company has about 60 employees working in a 20,000-square-foot space on Strathmore Road, which the company would vacate for the Rte. 9 property, a company official said in November.
The new three-story building will provide the company with about 50,000 square feet of space. Plans call for demolishing the existing Toolmex Industrial Solutions building on the property.
Toolmex moved its headquarters from Natick to Talbot Road in Northborough, according to its website.
Last spring, Town Meeting changed the site’s zoning to allow construction of a larger building. The Planning Board began its review of the project in November.
It's sad to see Toolmex leave, but exciting to see Exponent expand in Natick, said Jamie Errickson, the town's director of community and economic development.
The town reacted quickly to approve the zoning change, a sign the community recognized this is a good opportunity, Errickson said.
Meyer praised Exponent for working with town officials.
Exponent officials are excited about the new building, project attorney Jim Hanrahan told the board last week.
Exponent will contribute about $57,000 toward town open space initiatives as a result of its project. The company also plans to go from two curb cuts along Rte. 9 to one, install an electric vehicle charging station and make other improvements to the property, officials said.
The Conservation Commission has signed off on the project. The Planning Board expects to review its written decision on Jan. 24. Planners expect to review glass for the building, signage and some landscaping later.
Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.