Planning Board Mulls Parking at Proposed Fast Food/Gas Station Complex
New information was presented to the board on the project, which will be continued at their next meeting in September.
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The Chelmsford Planning Board took another step toward a decision on the proposed 3,900 fast food/gas development at the corner of Oak Street and Littleon Road last week, agreeing to a site walk prior before they reconvene on Sept. 12.
Located near Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Café, the board took up various topics on the proposal ranging from lighting to coordination with the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Speaking to the board, engineer Mark Allen indicated that the drive thru portion of the lot would have 24 feet between the building itself and the lot line, tapering to 20 feet on the side of the building opposite to Littleton Road.
This width, he said, would be enough for a tractor trailer to turn comfortably without hitting canopies on the building itself.
Allen also told the board that the development has 19 planned parking spaces, with signs placed along Littleton Road prohibiting parking of trucks.
This was not enough for Cal Davison, managing agent of the abutting Woodland Square condo association.
Davison told the board that while she appreciated their effort, she still had concerns with parking of trucks and other issues in how they would impact Woodland Square residents.
“Nobody has convinced me that I should stop being worried about parking and noise,” she said. “I don’t care what kind of signs you have, the truckers will park right in front of the no parking signs because it’s easier, I don’t care how many you put up.”
Developer Jay Patel noted that he lives less than a mile from the site and wants to work with residents and the town in creating a plan that will not cause problems down the line, citing similar developments he has overseen elsewhere in the Commonwealth.
“Any location that we own, there’s never been an issue to the town,” said Patel. “We always do things the right way and my record speaks for itself… We will make sure that the neighbors are secure and safe.”
If approved, the building is slated to host a gas station (New World Gas) and a pair of fast food restaurants (Honey Dew Donuts and Subway).
Tom Christiano
7:10 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
Since SUBWAY features so many healthy sandwich choices -- and since they taste great as well -- I'd like to see more of them here in Chelmsford. This plan sounds good to me.
MarkG
7:17 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
I'll take any business in town (to a point) over no business. But personally, I could care less about another Subway and Donut shop. I guess it'll be convenient for 110 commuters.
As for the residents concern about trucks parking along the street. This can be controlled with the way the street is laid out. It's a problem by the Dunkin' Donuts on Chelmsford st, because there is a very wide curb. However, in areas where the curb is replaced with a slightly elevated sidewalk, it is impossible for trucks to curb park without blocking traffic. The difference isn't just in putting up signs, but making it impractical or impossible for them to do so.
John Doe
8:14 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
I think we should just make 110 be two lanes in both directions. Especially leading into the center.
And the subway and donuts are a good idea as well. You wouldn't want people to have to drive one whole mile to reach those places. In drum hill or the other end of 110. This way there will be more traffic getting off the highway which is always good.
And I think there are only 5 gas stations in town, so the additional one will help a lot.
Overall this sounds like a good plan with the what's best for residents being kept at the forefront!
PLandry
10:35 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
Ugh. Chelmsford you just keep getting worse.
MarkG
10:41 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
So, are you saying you'd rather see it stay a dusty vacant lot than be a relevant business that will generate tax revenue for the town? Does your vehicle not run on gasoline? We're not talking about paving over Our Forefathers Cemetary here. We're talking about a vacant lot on the side of a busy commuter street. I'm not losing my mind excited about a SubWay or Donut shop either, but if that's what the market demands there, I fail to see the problem.
Sunny
1:28 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Dangerous having more trailer trucks driving down Route 110 for another rest stop. The rest stop area is gone (Skip's) and there are empty stores. Heavy residential area with trailer park, condos and houses we already have dump trucks haul material. Look at the condition of Littleton Rd. Next the state will built an exit at Hunt Road / Route 495 to handle the traffic from Westford exit. We don't need trucks idling exhaust, we already hear the noise from Rt. 495 rest area at night. Why turn Rt. 110 into Rt 3A N heading towards Nashua? Disgusting! Clean up this area!
Jack Alexander
1:35 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Carmen, lay off the cool-aid. Subway food is not good or healthy. Most of the meats are very processed and their sandwiches, in general, are loaded with sodium and saturated fats.
The fewer fast food places in Chelmsford the better for all of us.
Christian Noel
2:07 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
The fewer fast food places in Chelmsford he better? You realize that also means less jobs for high school kids/part time jobs for others. That eventually translates into less business tax revenue for the town. At any rate, if businesses find Chelmsford too difficult to deal with they will simply take their tax base elsewhere.
Sunny
2:40 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
High school kids don't work in fast food they're too busy with after school activities, volunteer work (e.g., Eagle scouts) or working computer stores. These jobs are for unemployed 40+ engineers or immigrants. Just giving examples!
Jack Alexander
3:45 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
And less trash left by the fast food containers.
Christian Noel
3:10 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
@Sunny. Labor statistics would dispute that claim. I am sure every high school student is an eagle scouts and volunteer hounds because none of them want spending money or a car.
Sunny
6:56 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
I enjoy a McDonald's iced coffee plain (no flavoring or milk) so I frequent the area McDs. I have my own stats and don't match your labor stats. Eagle scouts was only an example of volunteer work that high school students must do before graduation. Am I correct? Back to the subject? Chelmsford doesn't need junk food! Too congestion area! Work on getting real businesses that will employ the baby-boomers. Chelmsford is ugly!
ron johnson
8:43 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Sunny,
You contradict yourself, you get coffee at McDonalds but condemn junk food. What real businesses do you have in mind. Eagle scouts is not volunteer work to be completed for graduation, do you even know what kids do. Kids want to work and make money, some choose to volunteer as well. I live here and have for over 30 years, I am not too worried about the town getting overrun with fast food places. By the way baby-boomers are over 55 now, what types of jobs are we creating for this group.
Tom Christiano
9:01 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Very well stated Ron.
As an Eagle Scout myself, I can state quite confidently, that young scouts, as well as older folks, could use the opportunity to work in places like Subway and Honey Dew Donuts. It's a great way to learn about business and responsibility as well as earning some money.
By the way, I like sandwiches as well as donuts, and I think most other people on town do as well, though they may not say so in a public forum like this one.
I first started working as a paper boy when I was in 4th grade, getting up at 5:30 AM, in all kinds of weather....including freezing cold weather! Talk about learning the value of a dollar!
When I turned 16, I was fortunate enough to get a job selling footwear at Kinney Shoes in a local strip mall. What a wonderful learning experience that was! It only paid minimum wage, plus a 1.0% commission, however I needed every penny in those days.
I'm sure there are many people in Chelmsford, who could use the same type of opportunity to work in a retail business as I had when I was young.
If we want to have more employees...we need to have more employers.....it's that simple.
We should be supportive of our local businesses in order to help support our fellow residents in town, in a wide variety of ways.
Eileen Cushing-Craig
3:35 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I am definitely in favor of attracting and nurturing small businesses, especially if they are locally owned and operated. I wouldn't mind it if we had a few more small non-franchise coffee shops and restaurants to choose from in town. I have nothing against Honey Dew or Subway. I would just like to see more variety in town.
heather
12:02 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I Hope that doesnt mean that the residents of chelmsford auto court will be homeless. I live here and heard they are going to be tearing down my building so this gas station can be put here.Although this place isnt a beautiful fancy place its still home to myself fiancee and 7 year old son. Dont we get a say in this? Im not positive if this is true due to our landlord not telling us anything or caring about this place or the people in it. Does anyone know if chelmsford auto court (behind highway market and genes flatbread cafe) will be tore down????
Sue Carter
8:27 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Heather - the proposal is for the two residential abandoned buildings at the corner of Oak Street to be torn down with the proposal. The Planning Board is very aware of the potential impacts to the residents of the Chelmsford Auto Court and has asked for more screening for the residences, particularly from the night lighting. Please come to the next Planning Board hearing for this project (contact the Planning Board office for dates as they sometimes change).