Planning Board delays Chase Bank decision, pursues safety conditions
Planning Board · Meeting of April 14, 2026
MEDFIELD — Planning Board unanimously closed the Chase Bank public hearing but postponed its decision to April 27 over concerns about whether fire trucks can safely navigate an S-curve parking configuration. Resident Joseph Kelly testified that traffic studies understated parking demand; Fire Chief Bill DeKing said the design "works on paper" but voiced hesitation about real-world conditions when cars park improperly or snow blocks access aisles. Member Paul McKechnie argued the entire plaza needs holistic review, suggesting parking near Chipotle be reconfigured to create a clearer emergency access route.
Staff cautioned that the board lacks sufficient technical grounds to deny the project, and the board is developing specific conditions around snow management and site access.
In the full story:
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Source: the Planning Board meeting of April 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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