2018 City Council (Photo by Lynn Boscher)
WESTFIELD – During reports of committees at Thursday’s City Council meeting, Zoning, Planning and Development chairperson Dave Flaherty read the minutes from Wednesday’s meeting, outlining the negative recommendation for the Old Dominion truck terminal on Medeiros Way.
In order to give a positive recommendation to the City Council, the committee had to agree with nine findings for the Site Permit, and four for the Special Permit. They did give a positive recommendation for the Stormwater Permit.
In the Site Plan, both Flaherty and Ward 4 Councilor Michael Burns, who serves on ZPD, did not agree that the development of the site would preserve public scenic views. Both councilors felt the scenic view of the area would be negatively affected if the lot was clear-cut and a large trucking facility was built.
Flaherty commented that the name of the adjacent road, Timberswamp, appropriately describes the area. The committee voted 0-2 against the finding. Although the eight other findings were approved, the Site Plan was therefore negatively recommended.
For the Special Permit, the finding that the use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood was the issue. Flaherty read from his minutes that he and Burns discussed issues expressed by neighbors relative to truck traffic and depot. He said the neighbors opposed the project due to increased truck traffic, negatively affected air quality, lights, traffic volume and congestion on main roads and side streets, particularly Root Road, wear and tear on roads, destruction of natural resources, high percentage of impervious surfaces, and concerns related to the aquifer and other water and natural resources.
Due to City Planner Jay Vinskey’s suggestion that conditions could be added to alleviate some of the concerns, Flaherty read a list of conditions, including that the project be developed and maintained in substantial accordance with the approved site plan; that no vegetation removal or grading activities be done without a preconstruction conference between the applicant and the City Stormwater Coordinator (DPW); that the contemplated “Future Dock Expansion” not be included as part of this approval and require an amendment to the special permit; that a “Trucks No Right Turn” signage be posted and maintained at the driveway exits; no more than 40 average daily truck roundtrips be generated; no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides to applied to the landscape; No Sale Zone signs be posted and ecological alternatives be used; no queuing of trucks on Medeiros Way, and installing pavement or curbing at exits to steer trucks left toward Southampton Road..
Flaherty told the City Council that after reviewing and approving the conditions, he still believed that the plan would have adverse effects on the neighborhood. Burns said that he was satisfied with the conditions, and the vote to approve the Special Permit at ZPD was 1-1, effectively voting down the recommendation to the City Council.
Following Flaherty’s presentation, At-large Councilor Brent B. Bean, II made a motion, which passed, to table the vote until the next City Council meeting on October 18, which ended Thursday’s discussion.
