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Planning board approves change-of-use and rooftop screening at PCI Pharma site, adds sewer fee and screening conditions
Summary
The board approved a site-plan change-of-use and limited exterior renovations for LSNE/PCI Pharma at 19 Harvey Road, granted dumpster‑screening waivers, required three accessible parking spaces and added a condition that the sewer accessibility fee be paid prior to certificate of occupancy; the board also set screening standards for rooftop mechanicals.
The Bedford Planning Board on Sept. 8 approved a change‑of‑use site plan and limited exterior renovations for LSNE/PCI Pharma Services at 19 Harvey Road, including interior lab renovations, added rooftop air‑handling equipment, three additional accessible parking spaces, and site improvements. The board granted waivers for two unscreened dumpsters and attached a set of staff conditions including DPW technical review and payment of a sewer accessibility fee before issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
Robert Schuler of Design Group explained the application as primarily a bring‑the‑plan‑up‑to‑date action to reflect incremental changes since the prior (c.2013) plan and to permit a renovation of a small R&D lab in Building A. “There’s really been no change in the use that’s on the site, or the uses that are within the building, but we wanted to make sure that we provided the clarifications and in coordination with Becky,” Schuler said.
PCI representative Mark Shepanski and project manager Mac Pace described the proposed rooftop air‑handling units and presented several screening options. The project team said they sourced a lower‑profile unit than originally proposed, shrinking the rooftop equipment height from roughly 12 feet to about 8 feet, which reduced the extent of screening required. The board discussed options for screening and whether painting units or partial screening would be preferable; the applicant agreed to accept conditions that specify screening to match board preference.
Planning staff noted that a number of incremental changes over time had not been captured on a single site plan, prompting the board review. Staff recommended, and the board added, a condition that the sewer accessibility fee be paid prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy and that stripe and DPW technical reviews be completed. The board also approved a waiver to leave two existing dumpsters unenclosed because they are tucked behind buildings and not visible from the road.
The board approved final site plan with conditions to be met within one year; the applicant indicated cooperation with staff to address striping, sewer calculations and other DPW requests.
