Board schedules hearing for 526 Post Road after sharp debate over access, stacking for special‑needs use

Walsh Engineering representatives (Lena Toby and Edward Gilliam) presented a preliminary site plan for 526 Post Road on behalf of Grama Group LLC. Planning staff identified remaining minor redlines but flagged a larger traffic question: whether the project should be allowed to exceed the town’s 200‑trip cap with fewer than two exits or whether the board should require two exits for the traffic load.

Board members focused on the location and orientation of drive aisles. One board member argued the access closest to Route 1 should be "exit only," to keep vehicle stacking for drop‑off on the property rather than spilling onto Route 1. The board discussed stacking concerns in the context of a proposed special‑needs school, where multiple handicapped vans may arrive at the same time and require more on‑site stacking and slower unloading operations.

Engineers said they would re‑examine driveway geometry to square off and reorient the front access and increase the main road width; staff noted the applicant had widened the main roadway to 34 feet. The traffic engineer did not recommend a separate turning lane at Route 1 and Arundel Lane due to low expected traffic volumes.

The board voted unanimously to appoint the planning office completeness agent and to schedule a public hearing on the application once the applicant has provided required revisions. The hearing will give the public an opportunity to comment on access, stacking and any request for a waiver of the trip‑cap requirement.

Next steps: applicant to submit revised plans with driveway reorientation and traffic clarifications; planning staff to set a public‑hearing date when the application is deemed complete.