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Planning board recommends DPW approve takings, realignment for Malden Hospital Road project, subject to other approvals
Summary
The Planning Board recommended that the DPW Commission approve two takings and realignment of Hospital Road related to the hospital development, conditioned on approvals by the city engineer, city solicitor and city council; the plan includes a 290‑square‑foot taking and redesign to accommodate large trucks and emergency vehicles.
The Malden Planning Board on Sept. 10 voted to recommend that the Department of Public Works (DPW) Commission approve a plan to widen and realign portions of Hospital Road and Savin Street connected to a hospital development. The board’s recommendation is conditional on subsequent approvals by the city engineer, the city solicitor and the city council.
Why it matters: The plan implements a condition of the special permit issued in Case No. 2310 (July 2023) for the new hospital facility; it includes two takings and discontinuances of right‑of‑way and a proposed redesign of the Hospital Road–Murray Hill Road intersection so that an SU‑30 single‑unit truck and a fire truck can turn without crossing into opposing traffic lanes. The plan will require the city to take roughly 290 square feet at the intersection to permit the widening.
Staff (Michelle Ferguson) reminded the board that the special permit for the hospital project included site‑work conditions requiring reconstruction of Hospital Road between Savin Street and Murray Hill Road and reconfiguration in the Savin Street area to locate a sidewalk and a bus pullover. Ferguson said sheet 3 of the submitted plans shows the Hospital Road–Murray Hill Road intersection that would be reconstructed. The work will require the DPW Commission authority to alter the right‑of‑way; under state law the DPW must refer such a petition to the Planning Board for a recommendation.
Ferguson said the city engineer has reviewed the plan and recommended approval. The board’s recommendation to DPW is to approve the plan as shown, including the two takings and the realignment, but only after approval by the city engineer, city solicitor and city council for transfers or abandonments of public land. The city council involvement is required because the project includes transfer of public land to a private entity and the taking of private land for public purposes.
Ken Antonucci moved to recommend DPW approval of the plan with the specified takings and realignment, subject to the other entities’ approvals; Stephanie Stone seconded. Board members then recorded a roll‑call voice vote in which members present voted yes and the motion passed. Ferguson said the plan will later return to the Planning Board as an Approval‑Not‑Required plan updating prior endorsed plans (the Malden Community Parcels and Hallmark Health System parcel).
