By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
A proposal to house up to 1,700 World Cup visitors at a temporary site along Route 1 is drawing scrutiny from Plainville officials as they weigh how a town of roughly 10,000 residents could handle an influx of international fans.
The project, proposed for property owned by Hatch Materials at 80 Washington St. — also home to a local ice cream stand — would convert the site into a temporary lodging complex for World Cup fans called “Liberty Village.” The international event, estimated to bring 2 million soccer fans to the greater Boston area, is set to begin June 13 at nearby Gillette Stadium, about six miles from Plainville.
Members of the Select Board, Planning Board, Board of Health, Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission attended a joint Town Hall meeting Tuesday, March 10, raising questions about traffic, sewer capacity, zoning restrictions and the potential impact on nearby neighborhoods.
“A meeting like this isn’t the norm, but it isn’t unprecedented for a complicated application,” said Select Board member Jeffrey Johnson. “The goal is to gather more information. . . each board owes the citizens of Plainville thoughtful deliberation.”
A temporary village
Town Planner T.J. Torres said the World Cup is an unprecedented event in the region, with demand for lodging expected to extend well beyond Foxboro.
“There will be a big demand for lodging in the immediate area and stretching out for about an hour’s radius,” said Torres.
Under the current plan, 191 rented fifth-wheel trailers would sit on 20-by-50-foot sites, connected to town water and sewer infrastructure. Each unit would house five to nine people, with 66 additional parking spaces, four dumpster locations, a recreational turf soccer field for guests, and air conditioning and bathrooms in every trailer.
The site would also include additional shared restroom and shower facilities, 24-hour private security, and shuttle service to and from Gillette Stadium and Logan Airport.
The village would operate for less than 30 days, likely from June 12 to July 11. Visitors would primarily rely on shuttle transportation due to limited parking at Gillette Stadium during the tournament.
Attorney Michael Levinson, representing applicant Jared Hatch, said the project is designed to meet extraordinary regional demand.
“If you drive up Route 1, you’ll see there really aren’t many hotels,” Levinson said. “We’re proposing a controlled, organized site that can accommodate fans safely and efficiently, and it creates revenue for the town.”
Sewer capacity and infrastructure
One of the most immediate concerns raised by officials centered on sewer capacity.
Planning Board Chair Thomas McHugh noted that over 1,700 people could be on the property at peak occupancy. Fellow Planning Board member Stanley Widak warned that the town must carefully evaluate whether existing infrastructure can handle the strain.
“This is going to put 84,000 gallons in our sewer system,” said Widak. “We’re on a sewer moratorium, so I don’t know where that will come from.”
Town Administrator Brian Noble said Plainville has begun discussions with neighboring North Attleborough about potentially supplementing sewer capacity.
Board of Health Director Deborah Revelle noted that the project must comply with state housing codes for temporary housing, requiring underground water and sewer connections. Pump-out systems would not be allowed, which are systems on residential or commercial properties where wastewater is collected by a pump out truck and is not disposed of on site.
Widak also raised drainage and drinking water concerns, noting that runoff from the site could eventually reach Turnpike Lake.
Zoning questions
Several board members pointed out that Plainville’s zoning bylaws do not allow commercial campgrounds or short-term rentals. The front portion of the property is zoned commercial, while the back half — including the soccer field — is residential, adding another layer of complexity.
Torres said the developers may need to pursue special permits for temporary structures, typically limited to 60 days, requiring approvals from multiple boards, including planning, zoning, health and conservation.
Zoning Board member Dale Bergevine questioned whether the project could realistically clear the permitting process before the World Cup begins.
“It’s a tall order,” said Noble, acknowledging the tight timeline.
Traffic along a busy, four-lane Route 1 was another major concern. McHugh noted the roadway has already seen serious accidents and questioned how drivers unfamiliar with local traffic patterns — particularly international visitors — would safely enter and exit the site.
Project representatives said they are considering right-turn-only traffic patterns when vehicles leave, similar to Gillette Stadium event management. Officials also raised concerns about hundreds of pedestrians navigating a road without sidewalks in search of food or supplies.
Impact on neighbors
Zoning Board member Richard Guillette highlighted the challenge of hosting so many visitors in a residential area, with homes on George and School streets abutting Hatch Materials.
“Some fans are on the winning team, some are on the losing team one. One group is partying, the other group isn’t happy. How do you keep that in control?” asked Guillette.
Board of Health Chair Louis LeBlanc raised concerns about construction, asking how Hatch will minimize disruption while meeting the tight timeline. Hatch said work would proceed Monday through Saturday, with crews aiming to limit disturbances.
Security plans include 10 to 30 personnel on site at all times, with guest access managed through QR codes. The turf soccer field would close at dusk, and units would be cleaned and disinfected between stays.
While town officials emphasized the proposal is still in early stages and challenges lie ahead, Noble said the project offers a way to manage an inevitable surge of visitors.
“Whether this project happens or not, people are coming for the World Cup,” said Noble. “This gives us a way to control the chaos and ensure the town benefits financially. It’s our opportunity to manage the situation rather than let it manage us.”