Planning Board continues Salmar Realty special-permit hearing for Somers Road site to allow traffic concerns to be addressed

The Hampden Planning Board on April 22 continued Public Hearing Case 2026A at the applicant’s request so Salmar Realty and its engineering consultants can address outstanding traffic and peer-review comments.

What happened: John Mesic of Arlo Beck Associates, representing the applicant Salmar Realty (c/o Peter Martins), told the board the applicant had met with the highway superintendent and town consultants but still had unresolved traffic issues. Mesic asked for a roughly four-week continuance to complete responses and said that would “give us enough time to address the concerns raised by all parties and bring a more thoroughly finished product to you for review.”

Board action: The board moved, seconded and voted to continue the public hearing and execute continuance paperwork; members agreed to set a new hearing date and sign two copies of the continuance agreement. The board closed the public portion of the hearing for the evening while the continuance is processed.

Context and next steps: Case 2026A is an application by Salmar Realty for special permits under the Hampden Zoning Bylaw (Use Code 4.14 for a restaurant and Use Code 4.12 for retail) at 2 Somers Road (Lot 3, Parcel 12-040-000), a parcel owned by Hampden Farms LLC. The board noted that application materials are on file with the Town Clerk and that the applicant must complete responses to town peer-review comments and coordinate with the highway superintendent before the continued hearing.