Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Site Plan Walmart topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plymouth planning board conditionally approves Walmart expansion, signs master plan with changes
Summary
The Plymouth Planning Board accepted a Walmart site plan to add roughly 2,181 square feet, approved a master sign plan after removing three wayfinding signs, and gave conditional site-plan approval with requirements including a development agreement, inspection escrow and final signage details.
The Plymouth Planning Board on an evening meeting accepted and conditionally approved a site plan for the Walmart store on Tenney Mountain Highway that adds approximately 2,181 square feet and reconfigures parking and pickup circulation.
The board said the expansion would preserve required setbacks and parking, and it accepted a master sign plan for the property after directing the applicant to remove three wayfinding signs and provide a final signage layout. The approval is conditional on the applicant signing a development agreement, placing funds in escrow for construction inspection and submitting any necessary permits before starting work.
Justin Latier, the applicant’s representative with Colliers Engineering Design, told the board the pickup expansion — an “OPD” improvement — is intended to “improve operations at the stores” and accommodate grocery and in‑store pickup. He said the work includes an interior remodel and facade updates intended to “future‑proof the site” and improve safety for customers and staff.
Board staff said the project will not increase the site’s impervious area and that stormwater routing will continue to the existing drainage outfall after modest conduit changes. Joseph (planning staff) noted the applicant obtained a State of New Hampshire Department of Transportation driveway permit at DOT’s request even though the work does not alter the public right‑of‑way.
On signage, the board discussed distinguishing wayfinding/directional signs from advertising and acknowledged the zoning table for the ICD zone limits properties to one freestanding sign unless the planning board approves a master sign plan. The board accepted the applicant’s designation that the submitted materials will serve as a master sign plan, but it required a revised plan showing the final sign locations and sizes. The plans show directional signs sized 18 by 24 inches and pickup posts composed of stacked panels (18x18, 18x8 and 18x36); a larger light‑pole banner is shown at 24 by 60 inches.
The board approved three waivers the applicant requested related to water and sewer provisions not applicable where municipal water and sewer already serve the site. The board also asked the applicant to confirm geotechnical findings for foundation work and to provide final engineering for minor relocated stormlines that conflicted with the proposed expansion.
Conditions of approval require: execution of a development agreement; escrowed funds for construction inspection; submission of revised plans showing final sign locations and details; and receipt of all applicable permits before beginning on‑site construction. The applicant indicated a roughly four‑month construction window and does not anticipate construction beginning until 2026.
The planning board held a public hearing on the project; no members of the public attended the hearing in person or online. With the stated conditions the board voted to accept the application as complete, approve the master sign plan as revised, and grant conditional site‑plan approval.
Documentation the board requested for the file includes the geotechnical report, the final signed DOT driveway permit, the updated sign plan, and the executed development agreement and escrow arrangements.
