Editor's note: This story was updated on July 19 to correct a description of J. White's Automotive.

FRAMINGHAM — Concerns about traffic and Framingham’s pending transition to a new city government threatened Tuesday to delay a hotel project proposed for Rte. 9.

Representatives from FPG Development Group, a Florida hotel developer, appeared before the Zoning Board to request variances allowing the company to build a six-story hotel with 152 rooms on property near the Southborough border.

"What we're proposing is to really clean up the site and improve the site," said Scott Turner, a consultant from Nitsch Engineering.

Access to the land at 1800 Worcester Road would be provided through a new driveway that would loop behind an existing park-and-ride lot owned by the state Department of Transportation. Drivers would reach the driveway from the intersection of Rte. 9 and California Avenue.

Richard Mielbye, a representative of FPG, which owns or manages more than 170 hotels, said the company was drawn to the area because of demand for hotel space from surrounding businesses, such as Genzyme and Bose.

Genzyme, which has facilities just north of Rte. 9, was supposed to make improvements to the intersection under deals approved by the town’s land-use boards several years ago, Mielbye said. The company has since been reminded of its obligations, he said, and intends to carry out the necessary work, which should help improve traffic.

Even so, residents and ZBA members expressed a range of concerns Tuesday about bringing more drivers to the intersection.

"I'm very concerned with quality of life, quality of health and safety,” said resident Kathie McCarthy. “People fly through that intersection, so when you say improvements, I'd like you to enhance on what you're talking about.”

Resident William LaBarge said he generally supports the idea of building a new access road to the hotel, but suggested a more far-reaching solution: building a bridge over Rte. 9 to connect California Avenue to the driveway on the other side.

Resident Stephen Shull noted that a traffic study completed last year by the Planning Board suggested several upgrades to improve traffic flow, including adding turning lanes and incorporating a pedestrian crossing.

Shull also pointed to another potential hang-up: In the lead-up to Framingham’s transition in January 2018 from a town to a city, the new city charter adopted in April directs existing boards not to make any major policy decisions.

"I would say that the type of things this project is looking for go way beyond business as usual,” Shull said.

The new hotel would offer 152 rooms, as well as a lobby, dining area and lounge, meeting room, fitness center and pool, according to a letter from the lawyer representing FPG, Ruth H. Silman, of Nixon Peabody in Boston.

The 1.2-acre property is owned by Faneuil investors Group, LP, an entity registered in Milton. It currently houses J. White’s Automotive, an independent business that performs automobile maintenance, repairs, restorations and service.

FPG seeks a variance to construct the hotel with a maximum floor area ratio of 1.69, rather than the required 0.32. The company will also need zoning relief to maintain only about 10 percent of the property as open space, rather than the required 20 percent.

Granting the variances would be beneficial to the town because it would help “enliven” an underused property, FPG’s lawyer argued in a letter to the ZBA.

Additionally, the company needs relief from the town’s density and open space rules to include enough rooms, parking spaces and amenities to make the project viable, Silman wrote.

The ZBA is expected to continue its public hearing on the hotel proposal on Sept. 12. The applicants are expected to present more information about traffic and the concept of using development rights for the project.

Jim Haddadin can be reached at 617-863-7144 or jhaddadin@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JimHaddadin