Costco Wholesale Warehouse driveway expansion and traffic signal plans cause concern for abutters

The Board of Survey and Planning approved a special permit to allow for the widening of a driveway at Costco Wholesale Warehouse at 71 Second Ave. 

Stephen P. Golwacki from RJ O’Connell & Associates served as legal representation for Costco at the meeting. Golwacki explained that the results of a traffic study suggested that the addition of a right turn lane to the main driveway of the warehouse would improve safety, reduce queueing and resolve traffic issues in the area. In order to add the lane, the driveway would need to expand by 10 feet. The number of parking spaces available at the warehouse would not be affected.

Board member Brian E. Moroney raised concerns about the proposed traffic signal plan, saying that it may be confusing for drivers. Members of the board reminded him that city engineers and the Traffic Commission had already approved the plan, but Moroney maintained that he thought it would be confusing for drivers.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, Kelsey Westrich of Saul Ewing LLP spoke in opposition to the plan on behalf of her client who owns an adjacent building at 80 Second Ave. She expressed her client’s concern about the traffic signals making it difficult to leave the building’s parking lot from its northernmost exit. Westrich alleged that the building owner was not consulted by Costco. The traffic consultant representing Costco explained that the tenants of the building had been consulted and responded saying that they did not have any objections to the plan.

Board chairman William Creonte Jr. clarified that all matters about the traffic signals were out of the jurisdiction of the board and that the matter in front of the board was the widening of the driveway. The board voted to approve the special permit, which will allow Costco to go ahead with the project.

In other business, the board:

• Approved a special permit for the use and maintenance of four existing driveway openings at 962 Main St. that are greater than 25 feet in width.
• Continued the public hearing for approval to repair and repave Fir Avenue to their March meeting.
• Approved a request for the board to submit three proposed zoning districts for Jones Road, Bay Colony and 1265 Main St. to the State’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for an eligibility determination for whether the districts qualify as Housing Choice districts. The Housing Choice Initiative is a state-run initiative to reward communities that create new and sustainable housing. A designation as a Housing Choice district allows access to grants and programs that aren’t otherwise available.
• Approved an Approval Not Required plan for subdividing a lot at 564 Main St. into three separate lots.