Concerns over potential traffic backups is stalling an attempt to construct a new Christmas Tree Shop and Bed, Bath & Beyond on Durgin Lane.
The Technical Advisory Committee on Tuesday tabled the project to build the two businesses and a third as-of-yet unnamed retail store at the site of the existing Home Depot. The home improvement store is building a new facility at the old Portsmouth Circle Business Center.
Deputy Police Chief Len DiSesa said he worried about the additional traffic the project would generate, especially the volume visiting the Christmas Tree Shop. DiSesa said the stores could cause vehicle backups through the intersection of Durgin Lane, Woodbury Avenue and the access road to BJ’s Wholesale Club.
“This is going to be a mess of an intersection and the potential of it becoming a bottlejam is a major concern for us,” he said.
The committee also wanted to see proposed signs directing traffic to the new plaza.
Dave Palumbo, who lives on nearby Echo Avenue, said he fears travelers going to and from the new plaza will use a cut-through from a nearby auto dealership “Their traffic is going to be horrendous and we’ve got a lot of children on the street,” he said.
The developer’s attorney, Malcolm McNeill, said he believes traffic at the current Home Depot and the new Christmas Tree Shop would essentially be a wash and felt his client should only be concerned about the Bed, Bath & Beyond and the to-be-determined retail tenant.
The developer has suggested adding a center turning lane to Durgin Lane.
The committee seemed pleased with the revised plans overall.
“Outside of traffic, we’re largely there,” said Planning Director David Holden.
The Traffic and Safety Committee will review the project next month.
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