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Valvoline site plan discussion highlights safety concerns over Flag Road access; board to continue for review
Summary
Town staff and residents pressed an applicant for a proposed Valvoline (361 Turnpike Road) to pursue MassDOT review of a Route 9 curb cut rather than rely on primary access via Flag Road, citing safety concerns and heavy transient traffic volumes.
The Planning Board on Feb. 10 discussed a proposed Valvoline Instant Oil Change minor site plan at 361 Turnpike Road and heard sustained resident concern about locating the primary site entrance on narrow, scenic Flag Road rather than using the Route 9 curb cut that already exists on the property.
Key discussion points
- Access and safety: Several residents and board members said Flag Road is narrow, winding and heavily used by commuters and that adding commercial ingress/egress there would create a safety hazard. They urged the applicant and counsel to pursue MassDOT review for a Route 9 curb cut because the property fronts an arterial where commercial traffic is typically routed.
- Truck exclusion clause: Counsel confirmed an existing town/DOT truck‑exclusion rule prohibits through heavy truck traffic on smaller collector streets but that routine delivery vehicles and small service trucks (UPS, FedEx, safety‑clean, oil delivery) can access sites; the board debated whether relying on Flag Road as the principal entrance would encourage drivers to use neighborhood streets.
- Lighting, landscaping and operations: The applicant adjusted lighting to improve illumination for rear parking spaces and revised the landscape plan to replace non‑native species with native plantings. The board also requested final landscape sizes and confirmation that sign and lighting revisions conform to building code and zoning.
Board action
- The board continued the minor‑site‑plan discussion to Feb. 24 and extended the decision deadline to March 14 to allow Fuss & O’Neil peer review and to invite MassDOT/planning staff input on curb‑cut feasibility.
Ending
The applicant was asked to consult MassDOT about a Route 9 curb cut and to provide any written MassDOT correspondence to the planning office; the police chief and DPW comments were also requested before continuation.
