Monroe commission continues hearing on Town Fair Tire after neighbors cite noise and wetlands concerns

The Monroe Planning & Zoning Commission on May 7 continued a public hearing on an application by Town Fair Tire to occupy the former pharmacy at 508 Monroe Turnpike, after hearing new plans from the applicant and multiple public comments raising environmental and noise concerns.

Applicant representatives presented revised plans that relocate the service overhead door from the rear of the building to the front facing Monroe Turnpike and reduce service bays. “Town Fair has since reconfigured the floor plan and relocated the overhead door entrance from the rear of the building to the front facing Monroe Turnpike,” said Jim Rosundo, the engineer representing the applicant. The proposal would reduce the facility’s service bays and remove a few parking spaces to create an access door; the team proposed five parallel spaces along the rear to compensate.

The applicant cited Institute of Transportation Engineers trip‑generation rates in defending the change: Rosundo told commissioners that the prior pharmacy drive‑thru generated about 54 total vehicle trips during the PM peak hour, while the tire store is estimated to generate roughly 29 trips in the same hour — a reduction Rosundo described as approximately 46 percent. He also described the site’s stormwater controls, saying stormwater is conveyed through catch basins, a swirl concentrator treatment chamber and a sediment basin before running off toward Beardsley Brook. “Used tires are also stored within the building. And they’ll be picked up weekly,” Rosundo said when asked about tire disposal.

Several commissioners probed operational details and neighborhood impacts, asking whether the commission would be changing regulations (staff clarified the application is for a site‑specific special exception permit) and pressing for technical checks. Commissioners recommended a fire‑truck turning study to confirm safe rear access and asked whether service‑door controls could be tied to equipment such as air compressors to reduce noise — the applicant said such controls could be implemented.

Neighbors at the meeting split on the proposal. Terry Bot of Pepperage Road urged denial, citing long experience with tire shops and raising environmental and health concerns including off‑gassing and microplastics from stored tires and the proximity of wetlands behind the property. “I respectfully ask that the board strongly consider not approving this proposal,” Bot said, describing noise and odor concerns and warning of potential harm to property values and nearby businesses. In contrast, resident Brian Christie and real‑estate adviser Brian Atherton supported the use, saying it would generate local tax revenue and likely produce less peak traffic than the prior pharmacy use.

Applicant representatives told the commission the building is sprinklered, reported no history of tire fires at their locations, and reiterated that tires would be stored inside and removed offsite. Staff noted outstanding submittals — including an updated project narrative and ensuring the bond estimate reached the town engineer — and advised the applicant would appear at the town’s ARB on May 12 for design review.

The commission left the hearing open to its next meeting on May 21, 2026 for additional materials and comment; ARB review is set for May 12.