Bedford council grants stormwater waiver for proposed South River Road gas station project

The Town Council approved a waiver to section 1.03(b)(9) of Bedford’s stormwater and land-disturbance regulations on March 16 for a proposed gas station, convenience store and drive-through by South River Road Ventures LLC at South River Road and Technology Road (Map 35-3-1).

DPW Director Brian DeFosse and the project’s designer said the applicant has designed a detention and infiltration system and that downstream drains and the existing detention pond were sized to handle remaining peak flows for a range of storm events, including 1-, 2-, 10-, 25- and 50-year storms. DeFosse said the Department of Public Works supports the waiver request as meeting the spirit and intent of the town’s rules.

Councilors asked about off-site flow, testing responsibility, and long-term maintenance. An applicant representative told the council the principal could not attend due to an emergency but that parties have discussed maintenance and an easement; the representative said they would finalize maintenance responsibilities among all involved property owners.

A councilor moved to grant the waiver; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The council did not record additional conditions in the motion at the meeting; staff and the applicant indicated maintenance terms will be finalized in follow-up permitting or agreements.