Committee approves 25 mph design for Merrill Farm subdivision after debate over wetlands and safety

The Bedford Highway Safety Committee on June 23 recommended that the Merrill Farm subdivision on 410 Wallace Road be designed for a 25 mph posted speed rather than the standard 30 mph, voting 4-2 to approve the lower design speed with conditions for Planning Board review.

George Chadwick of Bedford Design Consultants, presenting for client TJ Potter, told the committee the project proposes 14 new lots plus an existing home (15 total) served by a 2,700-foot loop road and asked the committee to recommend the 25 mph design, arguing it would reduce pedestrian risk and avoid additional wetland impacts. He said the 30-mph design’s required "tangent lengths and centerline radiuses" would push the road closer to neighboring properties and wetlands and thus increase impacts.

Councilor Gail Levesque expressed concern that reducing the design speed could be used to fit more lots into the site and might set a precedent for future developments. Chief Fraitzl and other members countered that the loop geometry and tight curves would naturally calm traffic and that operational fire access favored the proposed loop over cul-de-sac alternatives. Chief Fraitzl told the committee that "operationally for fire response, the proposed loop design is much safer and preferred over alternative cul-de-sac designs."

The committee first considered a motion to retain a 30-mph design, moved by Ken Kash and seconded by Gail Levesque; that motion failed on a 2-4-0 vote. Members then accepted an amendment requiring that the Planning Board review usual items (turning criteria and fire apparatus turning ability) for the 25-mph design. Bruce Thomas moved to approve the 25-mph design, seconded by Chief Fraitzl; that motion passed 4-2-0 (Desfosses, Thomas, Fraitzl, Kitsis — yes; Levesque, Kash — no).

The vote directs that a lot-yield plan showing both the 25-mph and 30-mph designs and documentation of turning radii and fire apparatus access be presented to the Planning Board. The Conservation Committee had earlier recommended non-approval pending state approvals; the Planning Board will consider those outstanding environmental and state permitting issues at its review.

Next steps: the Planning Board will receive the lot-yield comparison and the 25-mph design materials; any state permitting or Conservation Committee requirements must be satisfied before final approvals.