Planning Board discusses traffic concerns and building footprint for downtown Essex project

Concerns over traffic safety and commercial space requirements dominated the Essex Planning Board meeting on July 2, 2025, as community members voiced their apprehensions regarding a proposed development on Route 133.

A local resident highlighted the urgent need for a traffic study, citing that Route 133, classified as a two-way, two-lane urban minor arterial road, experiences over 20,000 vehicles daily, with approximately 2,500 of those being trucks. The resident emphasized the dangers posed by the busy intersection, noting the presence of a blind corner where vehicles, including bicycles, navigate at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. “We need a traffic study,” they insisted, underscoring the potential risks to pedestrians and cyclists in the area.

The discussion also turned to the proposed building's footprint, with board members seeking clarity on the total square footage. The developers indicated that the building would cover 8,180 square feet, with 5,977 square feet of usable space without balconies. However, concerns were raised about the adequacy of the commercial space, which was suggested to be as little as 600 square feet. One board member expressed skepticism, fearing that such a small area could become merely a storage space rather than a viable commercial unit, which is essential for the mixed-use vision of the downtown area.

The meeting revealed a tension between the need for increased commercial space and the practical limitations of the site, with board members acknowledging that expanding the commercial area could lead to a significant reduction in parking availability. This could push the project back toward earlier designs that had previously faced community backlash.

As discussions continue, the Planning Board faces the challenge of balancing community safety concerns with the development's commercial viability, setting the stage for further deliberations in the coming weeks.