Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Debate over traffic signal and construction controls stalls Drake Station life‑care project
Summary
Developers presented plans for a 46‑unit age‑restricted life‑care development at Drake Station; traffic engineers say the Route 1 intersection warrants a signal but applicant traffic contribution is small. Neighbors and some board members pushed for a signal or interim construction restrictions; DEP stormwater review remains pending.
Jeff Oliva, representing the Drake Station development, told the Planning Board the project proposes 46 age‑restricted units in a mix of duplex, triplex and townhouse styles with an on‑site community building, per‑unit garages and sidewalks. Oliva said the team’s traffic study shows the Route 1 intersection currently meets signal warrants and that the development’s direct contribution to that need would be small, given the age‑restricted traffic profile.
The presentation touched on drainage and stormwater design: the applicant described underdrain filters, bio‑retention devices and pervious pavers intended to reduce post‑development runoff. Oliva said the project has submitted stormwater materials to the state and is awaiting DEP review and a stormwater permit.
Several residents and board members pressed the team on safety during construction and on whether a traffic signal should be required before work begins. One longtime resident (Speaker 11) said the intersection is already “bad” in summer months and argued construction trucks would worsen the problem; he said he would “require a light there.” Traffic engineer John Adams explained that signal warrants use 8‑hour volume counts on Route 1 and a higher single‑approach count for the minor street; he said the development’s traffic is unlikely to be the primary driver of a signal warrant but agreed that the intersection currently meets criteria. Adams and Oliva said the town and DOT will need to coordinate signal design and approvals.
The board and public discussed interim measures to reduce risk during construction: restricting construction‑vehicle movements to right‑in/right‑out patterns, adding a mountable or raised island to prevent left‑turn outs during construction, phasing work to limit peak impacts, and stationing temporary traffic control during busy construction periods. Oliva said the applicant can design a construction entrance and make it the Phase‑1 access point to limit conflicts.
Board members ultimately voted unanimously to continue the Drake Station site workshop to allow the applicant to provide additional traffic design details, DOT coordination, and to await DEP stormwater comments. The continuation was set for up to 60 days.
