‘This is an onion project’: New site plans for proposed Riverneck Road warehouse draw continued opposition

Property at 199-201 Riverneck Road in Chelmsford, the former Mercury Computer

Property at 199-201 Riverneck Road in Chelmsford, the former Mercury Computer Systems, which is part of a proposed development site from 191-201 Riverneck Road, as seen in January 2022. (Julia Malakie/Lowell Sun)

Real estate developer Davis Companies submitted revised site plans for a proposed warehouse at 191, 195, 199-201 Riverneck Road in Chelmsford, but aspects of the project, specifically the creation of a private access road, drew continued opposition from abutters at the latest Planning Board hearing Jan. 25, 2023. (Screen capture of Chelmsford Telemedia broadcast)

A rendering of the proposed industrial "flex" warehouse on Riverneck Road in Chelmsford, provided in March 2022. (Courtesy of Davis Companies)

CHELMSFORD — Real estate developer Davis Cos. submitted their plans to construct a nearly 250,000-square-foot warehouse in town in December 2021. More than a year later, the project is no closer to breaking ground.

After seven Planning Board hearings and numerous talks with town officials and residents, the proposed development, to be located at 191, 195, 199-201 Riverneck Road, still faces fierce public scrutiny from neighbors and abutters.

The latest public input session Wednesday night drew 40 people to Town Hall and about 20 via Zoom, some of whom shared detailed remarks on their opposition.

Since the last hearing on Oct. 12 — where residents could not share input on the project — developers have made several key changes to the design.

The number of loading docks was slashed in half, from 52 to 25. New sidewalks will line Riverneck Road and the warehouse's driveway, and they will maintain a 60-80 foot "landscape buffer," according to the company's presentation. Bike racks and electric vehicle chargers will also be available in the building's parking lot.

After receiving feedback asking for an "amenity area" near the warehouse, project representatives are also proposing a 10,000-square-foot park, with an outdoor fitness area, playground or possible other features.

But the main subject of Wednesday's meeting was the creation of a two-lane access road along the nearby Apollo Drive. With traffic being a major concern — an anticipated 40 trucks will make round trips to and from the site daily — the group is proposing they extend a private road using land owned by 300 Apollo Drive, occupied by Axis Communications.

Zach Chornyak, the site's civil engineer with Tighe & Bond, said at the meeting they’ve acquired a letter of purchase from that property owner, which would allow trucks to bypass Riverneck Road and the nearby residential areas. Circumventing Riverneck Road, Chornyak said, "resolves all the truck traffic issues."

To achieve that, Chornyak said they will reroute trucks by having them deliver to 284 Apollo Drive rather than an address on Riverneck. When plugged into a map, drivers will be guided to Apollo Drive from all directions, he said.

"The private road will have gates and signage for controlling public access, no public access to the road," Chornyak said. "The gates will be closed from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., and we are including the siren detection system that fire and EMS and police requested. Press a button, gates open, so they can have that for emergency access."

Traffic consultant Jeffrey Dirk, of Vanasse & Associates, agreed that this diversion "is a significant improvement over sending the trucks on Riverneck Road."

Board member Annita Tanini questioned why the access road wasn't moved further away from residential streets, like Monmouth Street, but the developer clarified they could only acquire a specific parcel of land from 300 Apollo Drive. Tanini also opposes the proposed hours of operation.

"When they were little, I put my kids to bed at 8 o’clock, and you’re looking at an hours of operation of trucks going up 'til midnight, and you haven't done anything to mitigate that, you’ve just moved the problem," Tanini said. "So, I’m kinda disappointed, I’ve got to say I’m really disappointed that there hasn't been more working with the community, after all the meetings you’ve had."

Chair Michael Raisbeck restricted public comments to the access road, as "this is not going to be over tonight."

Precinct 10 Town Meeting Rep. Chris Lavallee, who launched a petition to stop the development last year, said he is most concerned with the applicant's definition of tractor-trailers, which would allow "big flatbeds and box trucks" to damage the roadways.

"That Apollo address for deliveries is great the first time, but once a truck driver sees where the building actually is, they’re going to use the Riverneck address," Lavallee said. "And that also doesn't address trucks exiting. Now, trucks exiting the property still need to turn… There's a sign that says no turn, but the monitoring devices are on the access road."

Lavallee also poked fun at the public amenity.

"They’re proposing to put a playground, a bus stop, right at that dangerous intersection, without a traffic light, where you also have a blind curve, trucks entering and exiting," he said. "Not where I’d want to go and sit and watch an accident."

Sean Campbell, who lives on "quiet" Monmouth Street, said he feels Davis Cos. have only redirected the problem to him and his neighbors, who he called "the new losers." He's also concerned for his son, who catches the bus nearby.

"They didn't really, in my opinion, solve anything," Campbell said.

Another resident, Armen Jeknavorian of Bailey Terrace, handed out copies of old Planning Board minutes and documents claiming that the Apollo Drive road was solely meant for emergency use.

Judy DeAngelis, who has lived on Riverneck Road for 65 years, described it as "an onion project."

"You peel it back, it gets stinky and you cry," DeAngelis said.

After others spoke up to dissent, Raisbeck decided to cut it short, and the board voted to continue the public hearing to Feb. 22.

As much as residents may want the project to be rejected, project attorney Robert Buckley, of Riemer & Braunstein LLP, said the site will not stay vacant forever.

"I think we have to start from the premise that something's going to be developed there," Buckley said. "It's just not going to stay in its present condition."

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‘This is an onion project’: New site plans for proposed Riverneck Road warehouse draw continued opposition