Norwood Planning Board Continues McGovern Kia Dealership Hearing to April 27

NORWOOD — March 23, 2026 — Norwood Planning Board continues McGovern Kia dealership hearing to April 27 after same-day plan revisions. The board voted 5-0 at its March 23 meeting to continue a major project special permit hearing for a proposed Kia dealership on 4.6 acres at 1325-1369 Boston Providence Turnpike and 112 Sumner Street, after the applicant submitted revised site plans, a sign package, and a photometric lighting plan the day of the hearing. Attorney Brian Almeida and engineer Matt Smith of Norwood Engineering Company presented for McGovern Auto Group, whose owner Matt McGovern said the group has outgrown its existing Norwood Kia facility at 105 Boston Providence Highway. The project would demolish the long-vacant Sky Restaurant, the Furlong property, and a residential lot at 112 Sumner Street to create a nearly 25,000-square-foot dealership with an estimated 173,000 square feet of new asphalt and 53 full-time jobs. Planning staff cited unresolved questions from town engineer Mark Ryan on a redesigned Sumner Street entry-only curb cut, pending fire-department circulation review, and an unreviewed request to raise the freestanding sign from the allowed 15 feet to 20 feet. The board also approved a six-unit condo conversion at 21 Walpole Street, rejecting an applicant request to substitute a civil engineer for a certified landscape architect in the post-construction planting certification.