STOP THE CHELMSFORD MALL DRIVETHRU DISASTER

Mall Hearing Delayed Again Until Nov 12

Neighbors,

With yesterday’s Planning Board Agenda upload for the October 8th meeting, we’ve learned that discussion of the Chelmsford Mall topic will be delayed yet AGAIN at the request of the developers. They have requested a continuation at the November 12th meeting of the Chelmsford Planning Board.

We did however get some new documents uploaded, which include:

  1. A new cover letter summarizing the plan to change the coffee shop restaurant to a bank with a drivethru, while keeping the other fast food restaurant.
  2. A revised site plan showing (when viewed from 110) the “proposed bank” drivethru on the left side of the main entrance, and the “proposed fast-food restaurant” drivethru to the right side of the main entrance.
  3. A revised supplemental data report reflecting the planned changes.
  4. The peer review of the traffic study by Vanasse & Associates has been completed.

A quick skim of the traffic study peer review indicates that although several constructive comments were identified, key criticisms of the traffic study methodology and concerns of residents did not end up being reflected in the comments of the reviewer. The review certainly “went easy” on a deeply flawed traffic study, so it’s up to residents to make sure their unaddressed concerns are heard again at the next Planning Board meeting.

In the next week or so, we will be publishing a post on this site with a breakdown of the traffic study peer review and unaddressed resident concerns with traffic. If you have thoughts on traffic (and especially the peer review) you’d like to contribute, please email them to admin@stopchelmsfordmall.org.

Thanks for continuing to stay plugged in as this attempt to devalue our neighborhood with fast food drivethrus continues into 7 months and probably beyond.

Admin

2 responses to “Mall Hearing Delayed Again Until Nov 12”

  1. Janet Amiro Avatar
    Janet Amiro

    How many banks do we need? All on 110.
    Jeanne D’Arc next to the mall has a terrible time with traffic attempting to enter and exit. Will additional traffic lights be installed?
    There’s a Starbucks at Drumhill, 2 , N. Billerica and Target, Lowell.
    Over saturation!

    Reply
  2. Philip Gialopsos Avatar
    Philip Gialopsos

    My name is Lion. I have been a resident of Chelmsford since Westlands was an elementary school and MVP Spots and Bradley’s were at the Chelmsford mall.

    I used to live on Jenson Avenue. The house where I used to live is actually the same exact color when I was there, in the mid 90’s.

    I strongly suggest that the Chelmsford board reconsider NOT giving this building development firm the approval for the building permit, for their plans to install multiple drive-thrus. This is going to cause SO many problems.
    A few of them are:

    Traffic: if anyone has EVER had a time where they were stuck on Chelmsford st, heading to Market Basket, Lowe’s, or any other business down there, it’s about to get ALOT worse once these drive-thrus are installed.

    Increase crime: believe it or not, illegal drug transactions and alcohol consumption does happen at fast food parking lots.

    DEVALUE OF THE TOWN/SURROUNDING HOMES: I feel so bad for the residents in this part of town. I feel for the residents, who no fault of their own, is going to have their home WORTH LESS, due to the installation of these drive-thrus.

    Increase Trash: drive-thrus are a litter factory. Everything from wrappers and cups, to car accumulated trash and cigarette butts. Not to mention it being disrespectful to the WW2 cannon monument across the way. Inconceivable.

    The long game: if we look at other towns, like Westford, remember that Burger King in the plaza, where Block Buster, Joanne Fabrics and Boston Market used to be? If we go through with this drive-thru project, I’m going to give it 2-3 years TOPS before either or both drive-thrus turn into a Chipotle or a cocktail lounge.

    But let me play devils advocate for a second what if we install something that will benefit and increase the value of the town? What kind of establishments do that to a town? Well, we don’t have a good bakery in town, if we had a good bakery, where you would have to go and park and walk into the bakery, that could potentially lead to an increased value of a town. Another idea would be something to help the disabled elderly population; the majority of folks living in this town are older elderly females. perhaps maybe a good ophthalmologist or an urgent care to help the town community with health. That could potentially lead to an increased value of a town.

    While I do agree the two parking lots are being unused and there should be something there, I would choose both those spots being parks with trees and grass before I ever choose the areas to be drive thrus. It’s simply not a good look Chelmsford. Thank you.
    A very concerned town resident, Lion.

    Reply

Leave a Reply