Planning Board continues Pelham Road duplex hearing, demands traffic study and sidewalk plan

BELCHERTOWN — April 28, 2026 — Belchertown Planning Board continues Pelham Road duplex hearing, demanding traffic study and pedestrian access plan before any approval. The board voted 4-0 Tuesday to continue a site plan review for 50 Federal Operating Company LLC's proposed five-building, 10-unit, 30-bedroom duplex development on Pelham Road to May 26, after a public hearing in which five abutters described the Federal Street intersection as already dangerous. Engineer Keith Terry of Sherman & Frydryk acknowledged no traffic counts have been taken on Pelham Road and that the applicant's trip-generation estimate of 11 morning and 8 evening peak-hour trips was derived from ITE formulas not included in the submission. Member Mike Hofler called for the underlying ITE data and designated visitor parking; Chair Daniel Beaudette insisted on a pedestrian path to nearby commercial areas. Resident Marion Panto of 74 Federal Street said she waited 10 minutes to leave her driveway at noon the day before the hearing; Brenden Normand of 70 Federal Street said traffic backs up "all the way to Tilton Automotive" during peak hours. The board issued a seven-item punch list including a formal traffic count with speeds, dumpster capacity documentation, snow-storage markings, and a planting barrier to address headlight impacts on neighbors, with a Tighe & Bond peer-review response also required before the hearing can advance.