SAUGUS — Chase Bank’s original sight plan had been approved by the Planning Board, with the location being 156-180 Main St. in Saugus Plaza. However, they returned to the board Thursday to ask for 10 more parking spaces.
Though parking spaces seem like a simple discussion, the board was able to point out multiple problems that could come with the extra parking.
Randy Miron of Bohler Engineering presented at the meeting on behalf of Chase Bank.
“We previously met; Nick [Dewhurst] has been here a few times…I know there was some concern with the safety of getting in and out of those parking spaces…Since then, we’ve provided some updated materials,” Miron said.
He continued that the owner of the property had provided a letter explaining why the additional parking was necessary for tenant obligations.
One of the changes made to the parking plan, in hopes that the 10 spaces could be approved, is the angling of the spaces.
“We spoke with our traffic consultant, Bowman Consulting, and we thought it would be a little bit safer and more efficient and easier for vehicles to come in and park at an angle,” Miron said.
He continued that with the stop signs and stop bars in the area, they didn’t anticipate cars going at high speeds; however, Chair John O’Brien spoke out about the subject.
“Just a heads up. We did have Nick go out and lay the sight out. While we were there that day, I asked him what he thought of the ‘drag racing’ that existed. He said, ‘It’s unbelievable.'” O’Brien said.
Miron said he believes the addition of the bank and the landscape islands will be a benefit to the area. “I think with the addition of all these landscape islands including the building itself…It’ll prevent vehicles from crossing off and running through random spaces,” he said.
Board member Robert Long said, “We approved this plan back last fall, and at that point in time, they had what we considered to be the necessary parking spaces.”
Long said that he drives through the parking lot all the time because that’s where Stop and Shop is. He described the reckless driving he has seen in the area, and he isn’t sure if adding more stop signs would do much for the situation.
“For those of us who live here, I don’t care what engineers say; for those of us who drive it, it’s potentially a great danger,” Long said in reference to the additional parking spaces.
Kevin Hallion, town engineer, pointed out the landscaping changes that would occur with the addition of the parking spaces, and he wanted to ensure the board saw those changes.
He continued, “I guess it just comes back to the merit or the reasoning of the request for 10 extra spaces. Having come into a situation where there was already an approved plan, from my perspective, I’m always going to be in favor of what’s been approved.”
Hallion said the town would lose out on a nice feature with the landscape change.
The board continued to press on the fact that what mattered was the safety of Saugus, with O’Brien saying it’s been the number one concern since the first walk-through.
The discussion of the plan will continue at a later meeting. If plans are submitted on time and the board has what they need a vote could also occur that night.
