By Theresa Knapp 

In August, the Milford Planning Board denied a proposal by Rte. 85 Realty Corp. to build a 191,000-square-foot “wholesale facility with 200 associated parking spaces” on a 117-acre parcel of undeveloped land known as “0 East Main Street” near Wildwood Drive at the Holliston town line. 

Rte. 85 Realty Corp., owned by Kevin Meehan of Mendon, is appealing the decision, and is now asking the Planning Board to approve the project with a special permit. 

At a Planning Board meeting on Dec. 17, Town Planner Larry Duncan reviewed the developer’s current application - which is nearly identical to the first but now includes a 350-foot sound barrier – and recommended its approval. 

Duncan said the project is allowed in the Business Park Zone by special permit with approval from the board as long as it does not exceed 25% overall acreage which, in this case, is 10 acres. 

Joseph Antonellis, attorney for the applicant, said the developer is requesting a special permit for the particular use [wholesale facility and parking] and an application for site plan approval. 

He said the applicant does not have a tenant in mind. 

“As I stated in the last go-around, we do not have a tenant identified for the property,” said Antonellis. “This is a wholesaling facility with storage that means that it will primarily be one company that is distributing to subsidiaries.”

John Kusek of Bohler Engineering noted the addition of a 350-foot-long and 15-foot-tall “highway grade wall” sound barrier that would be installed along the easterly perimeter of the loading area. 

“It’s essentially what you see on the highway, those barriers, it’s not a cedar fence or something like that,” said Kusek. “It’s a heavy-duty structure that will block sound, there are no gaps or holes in it.”  

Marc Wallace with Tech Environmental said the calculation used to determine the sound emanating from the site included idling trucks, rooftop equipment, building elevations, topography, site grading, and how it would affect the nearest homes on Wildwood Drive and East Main Street.

“When we did our analysis, a lot of the sound is either being blocked or being reflected away from the homes,” said Wallace, adding the wall dimensions aim to replicate the sound of a Friday night at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. 

During public comment, residents reiterated concerns voiced the last time the issue was before the board.  

Deborah Romero has lived on Wildwood Drive for 30 years and raised concerns related to traffic, sound, overall safety, and a specific concern that an Amazon warehouse could go into her small neighborhood. She is skeptical that the proposed sound barrier will be effective. She added, “I’m surprised that they get a second bite at the apple to come in here again for a special permit…This is changing the whole environment.” 

“I just don’t think it’s fair, I think it’s not the right thing to do, and I’d like to ask you to deny it,” said Romero. 

Ivy Nelson Kramer of East Main Street voiced concerns about traffic. 

Jim Flanagan of Whispering Pine Drive had concerns about the sound waves, noting the sound may be reduced by the wall but it will not be eliminated. He is very concerned about adding additional trucks on East Main Street where trucks already idle when traffic is heavy.  

Joe Greska of Dogwood Lane has lived in the area for 45 years and suggested changing the entrance to the property. 

Amer Ascic of Zain Circle said the 24/7 sound of backup alarms is unacceptable, adding, “That’s irrational to think that you can live in the house with such a sound. You have to re-think this.” 

Theresa Benincasa of Zain Circle voiced concerns about trucks idling as they wait to turn onto the highway. 

Steve Kramer of Zain Circle, one of the trustees for the neighborhood, said he was concerned about the 24/7 operation. “One wall may not do what you think,” he said and asked the town to consider a traffic light. “Getting in and out is ridiculous there.” 

Jean Kramer of Zain Circle said, “There’s so much traffic in that area…We don’t need more trucks in that area.” 

Wilson Valdez of Wildwood Drive said it often takes him 10-15 minutes to get onto Route 16 because of the heavy traffic. He said the sight lines are also difficult.

The public comment section ended with Flanagan urging the board to deny the special permit, saying, “I’m just asking you to represent the townspeople that have lived here for decades.” 

After an hour-long meeting, the hearing was continued to Jan. 21 at 7:02 p.m. 

To watch the full meeting, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2vf_ilYTjw.