Planning Board approves parking lot for dealership at 550 Worcester Rd with neighborhood conditions

The Planning Board approved a minor site plan review and related special permits for 550 Worcester Road that allow the applicant to use the cleared lot for employee and registered‑vehicle parking, subject to conditions the applicant committed to during hearings. The approvals include a ban on loading/unloading and storage of unregistered inventory on the parking lot and a prohibition on using the adjacent residential streets (Frasier Road and Oaks Road) for loading activity; the applicant also committed to work with neighbors and the traffic commission on signage and enforcement measures.

Attorney Brian Grossman, representing the dealership, told the board the applicant revised the site plan to remove the loading area and modified the Frasier Road entry so trucks cannot turn into the stub driveway without crossing a curb. Grossman said the dealership will not store inventory vehicles on the lot and will cooperate with the neighborhood and municipal traffic authorities on truck‑access limits and signage.

Neighbors said the delivery trucks and occasional overnight truck staging on Frasier Road have been a longstanding nuisance and a safety concern. “We never have a problem,” said resident Alex (21 Frasier Road), describing repeated occasions when trucks blocked the roadway, including during snow events; he asked the dealership to ensure trucks are routed to Route 9 and to participate in neighborhood traffic calming. The applicant’s representatives said they do not directly control port or carrier practices but will support neighborhood efforts to implement codified signage, size limits, and enforcement through the traffic commission and police department.

The board approved the site plan review and special permits (auto dealer use; relief for parking/landscaping and front setback parking) with standard conditions and the added restrictions: no loading/unloading on Frasier Road and Oaks Road, no storage of unregistered/inventory vehicles on the lot, no overnight parking of unregistered vehicles, and a commitment to assist with neighborhood efforts to secure codified traffic/parking controls (signage and enforcement). The board closed the public hearing and approved the permits; final decision will be filed and is subject to the usual appeal period.

The applicant said proposed landscaping along Route 9 will include multiple trees and taller shrubs to screen the lot; pavement will be conventional asphalt (not permeable pavers) due to maintenance concerns expressed during the hearing.