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Planning board hears Walmart fueling station plan; stormwater and wetlands buffer remain unresolved
Summary
Walmart Real Estate Business Trust proposed a 1,618‑sq‑ft convenience store and 4,800‑sq‑ft fuel canopy with two 20,000‑gallon tanks and one 10,000‑gallon tank at 677 Tiffany Boulevard. Engineers said the project increases impervious area by about 1,445 sq ft and that soil and proximity to wetlands likely preclude infiltration, so detention and a
The Gardner City Planning Board received a preliminary site plan presentation for a proposed Walmart fueling station and convenience store at 677 Tiffany Boulevard and asked the applicant for more stormwater and conservation details before scheduling a public hearing.
Connor Emmis of Boulder/Cornell Engineering told the board the proposal places a 1,618‑square‑foot convenience store and a 4,800‑square‑foot fuel canopy in the east portion of the Walmart property. The overall proposal includes two 20,000‑gallon underground fuel tanks and one 10,000‑gallon underground tank. "This will be an electric only building, so no gas service is proposed," Emmis said while also noting the underground storage tanks will be permitted through state and city requirements.
The plan increases impervious area on the property by roughly 1,445 square feet. Emmis said the team proposes deep catch basins tied to an underground detention basin and a water quality unit to treat runoff prior to discharge to wetlands north of the site. He cautioned that soils mapped as C/D and the presence of fill may make infiltration impractical: "From mapping ... it's C/D soils and with proximity to the wetlands, probably not suitable for infiltration," he said, adding the team is considering detention plus a water quality unit focused on phosphorus and nitrogen removal.
Emmis said a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Conservation Commission will be filed and that a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals is required because motor fuel stations are allowed by special permit in the zone. Planning staff and commissioners debated whether the project should be classified as redevelopment (which limits increases in impervious area) or new development; staff said MassDEP could be consulted for a formal determination.
A traffic report submitted by the applicant was summarized as showing intersection operations remain acceptable under future conditions; lighting will be dark‑sky compliant and designed to avoid spill outside the site. Board members asked about hours and were told typical Walmart convenience store hours are aligned with the main store; the applicant indicated a likely operating window but said final hours would be confirmed by the operator.
The applicant said it plans to submit additional stormwater test pits and revised calculations. The board asked the applicant to return with updated stormwater materials before advertising the matter for public hearing; if those materials are ready staff will advertise for the December meeting, otherwise the matter may be continued to January. The applicant said construction is targeted for late spring next year.
