Bourne Planning Board Meeting - June 18, 2026

The Bourne Planning Board held a regular meeting on June 18, 2026, at 7:08 PM. The meeting was audio-recorded only due to technical difficulties. The board approved the previous meeting minutes and then considered two site plan review/special permit applications (SPR SP 05-2026 and SPR SP 06-2026) for redevelopment projects in town. The board also discussed concerns about traffic safety around the Cape Cod Canal bridges and the impact on school transportation.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from June 11, 2026: A motion to accept the minutes as printed was made by Jim and seconded by Rob. The board voted unanimously (6-0) to approve.

Discussion Items

1. SPR SP 05-2026 – 130 MacArthur Boulevard (Amazon Granite)

• Applicant Presentation: The applicant, Amazon Granite, seeks to redevelop the former RMA gym site into a granite countertop facility. The project had been continued from May 28, 2026, to finalize drainage design with the Conservation Commission. The applicant reported that the Conservation Commission granted approval after reducing on-site drainage to protect a vernal pool on adjacent property owned by Capeway Cannabis. The applicant coordinated with adjacent property owners (Mr. Howe and Mr. Ferris) regarding off-site drainage. The new design treats only increased pavement and directs overflow toward the vernal pool area. A pre-construction meeting with the conservation agent is planned.
• Board Comments: Board member (Doc) requested that the tree caliper on the planting plan be changed from 3 inches to 3 to 3.5 inches to meet the town minimum. Another member (Randy) praised the project for going the extra mile on drainage. The board found the project consistent with zoning requirements.
• Vote: A motion to approve the special permit and site plan review was made by Randy and seconded by Jim. The motion carried unanimously (6-0) with 16 conditions, including that the Conservation Commission must be satisfied with drainage installation prior to occupancy.

2. SPR SP 06-2026 – 74 Cranberry Highway (Bay Ridge Realty/ Mixed Use)

• Applicant Presentation: The applicant proposes to change the use of a former car wash property to a mixed-use development: four one-bedroom apartments on the second floor and four storage bays on the first floor. The site is 26,000 sq ft in a B2 district, with a non-conforming lot frontage of 70 ft (required 125 ft). Parking: 16 spaces provided (14 required by zoning). The applicant noted reduced impervious area by 9% and improvements to drainage, retaining walls, and landscaping. A new septic system and industrial wastewater holding tank are proposed. The building will feature architectural details consistent with the area.
• Board Comments and Concerns:
  • Planting Plan: Board member (Doc) raised multiple issues: tree caliper should be 3 to 3.5 inches, shrubs should be listed as 24–30 inches (not #3 or #5), and the plant list needs corrected botanical names and spacing. Irrigation was confirmed by the applicant.
  • Parking: Board member (Steve) noted that the board does not count parking spaces within buildings as part of the required total. He recalculated parking needs based on intended use (storage and residential) and suggested the applicant remove the four spaces shown inside the bays and instead provide them outside, for a total of 12 spaces (8 residential + 4 storage) plus additional parking in front of overhead doors. The applicant agreed to adjust.
  • Retaining Wall: Concerns were raised about the structural design of the proposed concrete retaining walls (varying from 1.5 ft to 10 ft tall) and the need for a structural engineer's details at the next meeting.
  • Lighting: No lighting plan was submitted; the board requested catalog cuts and a lighting plan.
  • MassDOT Coordination: The board advised the applicant to consult with MassDOT, as the state is planning road reconstruction (including new bridges starting 2027) that may affect driveway cuts and site drainage.
• Project Leader Stance: The project lead (Chris) stated he was not prepared to make a motion to approve that evening, given the outstanding issues.
• Outcome: The board voted unanimously to continue the application to July 23, 2026, to allow the applicant to submit revised plans addressing planting details, parking delineation, retaining wall information, and a lighting plan.

3. Traffic Safety Concerns Around Canal Bridges

• Discussion: Board members raised concerns about severe traffic congestion on state roads (Route 6, MacArthur Blvd, etc.) caused by bridge work and accidents, which is causing significant school bus delays (e.g., children arriving 1.5–2 hours late, school start times pushed back). One member shared that his granddaughter missed school days due to the traffic. Another noted that flooding at the Sagamore Bridge has been a recurring issue since the 1970s.
• Proposed Action: The board discussed forming a committee or at least compiling a list of concerns and creative mitigation ideas (e.g., using police to escort school buses through rotaries) to present to MassDOT, the school superintendent, and local stakeholders (police, fire, DPW). The chair agreed to reach out to the superintendent and chief of police to explore coordinated action. No formal motion was made; the discussion was for consensus-building.

Key Outcomes

• SPR SP 05-2026 (130 MacArthur Blvd): Approved unanimously with conditions.
• SPR SP 06-2026 (74 Cranberry Highway): Continued to July 23, 2026, for revised plans addressing landscaping, parking layout, retaining wall details, and lighting.
• Traffic Safety: The board will liaise with the school superintendent and police chief to develop a formal list of concerns and potential solutions for MassDOT regarding bridge-related traffic and school transportation.