Planning board continues Bedford Design hearing after questions about truck access, lighting and ZBA items

The Plymouth Planning Board continued a public hearing on an application from Bedford Design for two contractor-storage buildings after board members and neighbors pressed the applicant for more detail on design, driveway safety and off-site impacts.

Robert Baskerville of Bedford Design presented two façade options — a variation using stone piers and wooden columns, or extended rooflines with decorative supports — and the board generally favored the first option. Baskerville said the units would meet zoning for sign placement and that signs would not be backlit.

Board members emphasized the need for more detailed elevations and for plans to show guardrail details, the location of tenant-directory signage and a signed notation prohibiting overnight trailer parking. The applicant agreed to add guardrail details, clearer wall-sign notes and a plan note about no overnight trailer parking.

Neighbors raised concerns about construction impacts and whether tractor-trailer trucks could safely enter and exit the site. Resident Jack Nelson told the board he worries about heavy trucks, logging-related traffic and ground disturbance near nearby homes. The applicant said he would check turning radii and adjust driveway geometry where DOT permits allow. Staff said driveway permitting and sight-distance rules are governed by the state DOT and recommended the board seek an explicit DOT determination on whether an alternate driveway location would be allowed.

Because the zoning board (ZBA) must decide special-exception questions referenced in letters from nearby residents, and because the board still needs DOT feedback and updated turning-radius and elevation information, a member moved to continue the public hearing to Aug. 20. The motion carried; the applicant agreed to the extension.

Next steps: the applicant will revise plans to show the preferred façade articulation, add guardrail details and signage notes, provide turning-radius information for large trucks, and seek any necessary DOT documentation; the board will await the ZBA decision on outstanding special-exception items before taking a final vote.