By K.B. Sherman, Community Reporter
?Shrewsbury – The Planning Board held a public hearing during its June 7 meeting to discuss a site plan for a new commercial development to be located on the site of the former c, 574-576 Hartford Turnpike.
The proponent, Polito Development Corporation, is seeking approval to construct the development, which a representative said would be primarily zoned for light industrial use. The only exception is one corner that is currently zoned residential and abuts the Cherry Street/Cherry Hill Drive neighborhood. Access to the new development would be primarily from Cherry Street, with secondary access to and from Route 20. The project would be built in two phases, with each phase involving the construction of warehouses/manufacturing plants, associated loading docks, and parking spaces. Several large trees and some stonewalls would have to be removed from the borders of the site. Site lighting would be designed to minimize its impact on adjacent residential properties.
The board asked the proponents a number of questions regarding the site's wastewater system (which initially will be a septic tank, then later, will be connected to the town sewer); roof runoff control; sub-surface infiltration control; and the timetable to build the development.
Eleven abutters also attended the hearing and shared their concerns with the board. One question raised was why truck traffic needed to go through an abutting neighborhood instead of via Route 20.
Town Engineer Jack Perreault said that the site traffic plan was the most conservative plan for the estimated truck traffic the site would generate.
Melvin Gordon, the Planning Board chair asked if the proponents would accept signage prohibiting turns into the adjacent residential neighborhood. The proponents agreed.
Several abutters noted that they have lots that are lower than the ground upon which the new buildings would be located. A berm separating the new site from the house lots is incomplete, they added; they fear that new development could increase the annual spring flooding. There was general agreement from the officials that this situation was unavoidable.
The board then voted to approve the site plan proposal, with comments and concerns from the hearing integrated into the final version.