Owner, operator pitch gas station and convenience store concept at South River Road; board asks DOT signal and traffic clarifications
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Summary
A developer and YATCO Energy presented a concept for a 12‑pump gas canopy and a ~6,000‑square‑foot convenience store with drive‑through at South River Road/Technology Drive. The board asked for traffic studies, DOT coordination on a potential signal and shared access options before any formal application.
South River Road Ventures LLC presented a conceptual proposal for a gasoline station and convenience store on South River Road at Technology Drive (Bedford) and the Planning Board discussed traffic, access and coordination with the state Department of Transportation.
Owner Elias Petujas said prior plans for a large auto sales facility at the site fell through and that YATCO Energy is interested in developing a fueling and convenience retail anchor on roughly 5.8 usable acres. YATCO’s representative described a layout with a covered fueling canopy supporting about 12 fueling positions, electric vehicle chargers, underground storage tanks on the north side of the site and a roughly 6,000‑square‑foot convenience store with a drive‑through coffee operation. The plan envisions additional retail pads on the remainder of the property after a primary tenant is established.
Key board concerns were traffic and the site’s lack of a current signal at the Technology Drive intersection. Planning staff noted that conditional use for a gas station in the performance zone typically considers intersection signalization; the state is designing South River Road improvements and the DOT has discussed a potential signal at Technology Drive. Board members asked the applicant to coordinate with DOT and supply a full traffic analysis that models both current operations and conditions after DOT’s planned improvements, including signal installation or other intersection changes.
Members also urged the applicant to consider shared access with adjacent parcels and to demonstrate how queuing, tanker deliveries and vehicle circulation would be managed given existing grade and site geometry; the applicant said the site will need retaining walls and longer throat distances to accommodate grade differences. Staff and the applicant agreed a formal traffic study and evidence that DOT improvements are proceeding were essential before the board could consider a conditional use application or allow driveway spacing exceptions.
The board encouraged the team to return with a refined plan after coordination with DOT and a traffic study that includes weekend and AM peak analyses, pedestrian connections to nearby neighborhoods and parking for future retail pads.
