WRENTHAM - Not only did residents at this week's town meeting oppose a hotel locating on South Street near Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, but they rejected a bylaw change that was expected to have attracted hotels to underdeveloped Route 1.

A majority of voters, 110-77, supported easing parking requirements, but the measure failed because zoning changes require a two-thirds affirmative vote.

The proposal called for requiring one parking space for each hotel room plus one-half space for the equivalent of a full-time employee. The present zoning requires three spaces for every two rooms, and just one space for every four employees.

The town has been eyeing the underutilized Route 1 area for commercial growth to boost tax revenues. A good part of Plainville's stretch of the state road has been developed but Wrentham's section hasn't.

"The reason you haven't seen hotels developed on Route 1 is the parking requirements in Wrentham are not realistic," Town Planner Paige Duncan said. "They are too stringent." Duncan said she surveyed area communities to come up with the proposal that would have made Wrentham consistent with many of them.

Resident Marjorie Immonen reminded residents the town relies on the town planner providing her expert opinion.

One resident, however, contended a lot of the town's crime is reported at motels and inns on Route 1.

"If they don't want to come, that's not a bad thing," voter Chris Lopes said. "Let's keep hotels out of Wrentham."