Warehouse at Wyman-Gordon gets public hearing Monday

The Planning Board gets its first look at a proposed 375,000 square foot warehouse in front of Wyman-Gordon Monday night in the first of multiple public hearings.

The eventual end use of the warehouse has not been publicly disclosed, but neighbors of the 244 Worcester Street property have been highly vocal with displeasure. Wyman-Gordon is selling off 26.2 acres — the grassy front lawn most recently used for the Pet Rock Festival — to Providence-based Churchill and Banks Companies, LLC, for the project.

The public hearing is at 7:30 p.m. Interested parties may watch and comment on Zoom or submit letters to the Planning Department at the Municipal Center. Several letters are already on file.

“While we appreciate the need for commercial business in town, North Grafton seems to bear the brunt of the worse of projects — from rows of used car dealerships to a propane truck farm to a National Grid substation,” wrote Scott and Cindy Robinov. “The parcel at Wyman Gordon should be considered carefully. This area is what welcomes visitors to Grafton. The area, already crowded with used car dealers, graffiti painted pizza shops, etc., is in desperate need of proper town planning create an attractive — as well as business functional — section of town. 

“To add a warehouse across a crowded residential area, where traffic already backs up at Brigham Hill and Rt 122 as well as to the Pike, will add to the continued decline of what should be a well managed commercial district. Very few prospective residents and businesses actually go the our Common. It’s time to stop and thoughtfully plan North Grafton. Thank you.”

A letter from Robert F. Holmes on file was also submitted to the state.

“This is a chapter 43D project and based on community protections listed in section 43D, I believe that this development is in violation of law as written for the Commonwealth,” he wrote. “I have attached the traffic study, which as per the community protections listed in chapter 43D, contains false or misleading information. The traffic study was prepared during COVID which does not represent true traffic numbers for Rt 122. 

“The project is trying to use false and/or misleading information too fast track a warehouse project that will affect the community. In addition, there has been NO environmental impact report done or submitted to the town for community review. I feel that intervention from the Commonwealth is the only way citizens in North Grafton will be protected. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.”

Proposed use includes:

• Warehousing and industrial shipping distribution;
• 24 hour/day, 7 day/week operation with light shifts on Saturday and Sunday;
• An estimated 300 employees, with 180 employees estimated on the largest shift;
• Delivery vehicles will be primarily tractor-trailers, generating approximately 638 new vehicle trips per day;
• Hazardous materials on-site will include petroleum products, fertilizers, and paints/solvents.

To participate remotely, the September 27, 2021 Planning Board Meeting may be accessed using  the following link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82895271304 or telephone +1 669 900 9128;  Webinar ID:   828 9527 1304.