CHICOPEE – After lengthy discussion, the Chicopee Planning Board approved the definitive site plans for a Pilot travel center on Burnett Road during their July 14 meeting. The approval is contingent upon Pilot receiving permitting from Eversource and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

Planning Board Background

The Planning Board hosted an initial hearing with Pilot on May 5.
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. (VHB) Director of Land Development John Furman detailed the background behind the site’s history. Furman served as a part of an initial project that transformed the space into a mixed-use hotel, gas station and sit-down restaurant space in 2018. While the project gathered the necessary permits, the advent of the coronavirus pandemic halted the project.

“We were ready to go, then COVID[-19] hit,” said Furman.

Shortly after, Pilot expressed interest in becoming involved with the site. Furman shared that the design team continues to work alongside Eversource and the MassDOT, ensuring that the space features a reduced carbon footprint and meets traffic qualifications. Furman also explained the team’s alteration of plans, such as the removal of a Wendy’s drive-thru, were to prevent traffic disturbances.

Residents of Burnett Road expressed stern opposition to the truck site. Prior to the meeting, a resident ordered for a recorded phone message throughout Chicopee notifying community members to oppose the project, according to comments from Ward 6 City Councilor Derek Dobosz.

Residents noted that the Pilot alterations for the site represented a significant change from the site plans approved in 2018 by the Planning Board. Other residents and Dobosz also discussed the severe traffic implications of the project will further burden Burnett Road.

The Planning Board ultimately approved preliminary plans for the site before voting against finalizing plans for the site.

City Council Background

The City Council also highlighted the Pilot-proposed project during their June 7 meeting.

During the council’s discussion of the items, Dobosz remained critical of the proposed travel center. Dobosz said the project would be “very, very harmful” to the area due to its traffic impacts.

“Their own traffic study said it would increase Burnett Road’s traffic by 10 to 20 percent. That’s quite significant…I’d like to bet if there was another traffic study by an independent actor, it would be a lot higher,” said Dobosz.

Dobosz also further critiqued the “irregular” above ground gas storage.

“I’ve never heard of that before…There’s no gas station that I know that has an above ground gas tank. That sounds like a bomb waiting to go off. [It’s] absolutely ridiculous, we don’t want this,” said Dobosz.

Dobosz said he and his ward residents agree the property can be redeveloped, but said that “smart developments” that fit the neighborhood’s sensibilities are necessary. The City Council ultimately decided to discuss the matter further in a Licensing Subcommittee meeting.

Before the July 14 Planning Board meeting, the subject matter sparked debate between two City Councilors via social media. On June 23, Dobosz posted that Ward 1 City Councilor and state Rep. candidate Joel McAuliffe received a $500 donation from the developer and owner of the proposed truck stop on May 25.

“Do you think that will affect his vote on the truck stop coming up? I wonder if the developer donated to any other city officials,” questioned Dobosz via a Facebook post.

McAuliffe expressed an emphatic denouncement of Dobosz’s inference. McAuliffe accused Dobosz of lying about the City Council’s abilities to prevent the project and the project’s negative traffic implications.

“Councilor Dobosz had been an effective advocate for Ward 6, but as of late he has turned to methods of lying and outright intimidation to pressure officials into voting his way…The only thing the City Council can do is deny the application for the larger above ground fuel storage permit,”

McAuliffe continued, “I get some people might not like the project, but facts matter. There has been no evidence from Chicopee Police, Fire, or planning that this will increase traffic — in fact it should result in less traffic making its way down Burnett Road.”

Dobosz countered McAuliffe’s sentiments, arguing that the votes were “not a done deal.”

“The City Council is going to vote on a service station license, which we reserve the right to deny for valid reasons. The City Council is going to vote on storage tank permits, which we also have the right to deny. This is not a done deal. That is the lie,” said Dobosz.

Planning Board Meeting

In a lengthy three-hour meeting, locals to Burnett Road and Pilot representatives endured a back-and-forth debate about the project’s future.

Furman announced updates to the project’s preliminary plan. Some of the key revisions include reducing the distance between the travel center and its parking spaces, adding outdoor seating, addition electric vehicle chargers and installing a fire suppression system.

In regard to the controversial above ground gas tank, Pilot Tank Specialist Ray Vaughn assured residents about the tank’s safety. He explained that the tank is enclosed by fencing and allows Pilot easier access for monitoring its status.

“Just the ability to see the problem is huge. If I had a tank, this is what I would do,” said Vaughn.

Furman explained that Pilot is finalizing the permit process with MassDOT and Eversource. He expressed confidence in the organization receiving approval as the only significant change from the project’s previous use is the moving of the curb to account for wide truck turns. The changes already received approval from the Mass Environment Policy Act.

“Pilot is looking to start construction as soon as we have approval…It’s highly unlikely MassDOT would not issue us a permit,” said Furman. Construction is expected to take between 150 and 200 days if the project is approved.

Residents remained skeptical about the project’s viability. After initial outcry about limited public input time, the Planning Board allowed each resident to speak freely on the proposed travel center. David Amos argued that the Pilot travel center is wasted potential for the space due to its proximity to a Pride travel center and the adverse traffic impacts.

“We are fully supportive of smart developments…the potential for shared community at this site would be simply wasted by this…You really need a full, independent traffic study,” said Amos.

The issue of traffic became an unavoidable topic as residents demanded that Pilot performs an independent traffic study. Pilot Traffic Engineer Joseph Balskus made numerous presentations to the crowd, sharing that the travel center imposes a slight increase in traffic compared to the previous mixed-use hotel proposal.

“This project is going to increase traffic on Burnett Road…it’ll be a very slight change in traffic,” said Balskus. As a Vice Chair of the Traffic Certification Board, Balskus claimed that the traffic study was accurate and created independent of Pilot’s influence.

The residents remained skeptical about the traffic impact. Glenn LaPlante pleaded with Pilot about hiring an independent contractor for a traffic study. LaPlante also shared that the nearby Pride travel center incurred 670 police visits over the years, which poses another traffic setback for Burnett Road.

“It’s a disaster waiting to happen…we should have a voice in what happens in our area,” said LaPlante.

Dobosz reiterated his residents’ sentiments. The councilor argued that the traffic study does not account for other new developments in the area, including a special needs school set to open nearby in September. He stressed that hundreds of his constituents are against the project.

“We aren’t against development, we are against dangerous development,” said Dobosz.

Before the Planning Board vote, Vice President of Pilot Economic Development Patrick Deptula addressed some of the neighborhoods’ concerns. He argued that above ground diesel tank remains “invaluable” as Pilot can closely monitor its status. Deptula also promised residents that Pilot would be a good neighbor to the area.

“This is one step in a long process…I am confident that when we are done, we will be an outstanding neighbor,” said Deptula, who said he is open to having an independent traffic study accomplished.

The Planning Board ultimately voted unanimously to approve the site’s definitive plan under the contingency they receive required permits. Planning Director Lee Pouliot explained the board could not deny the project due to issues with the building’s use. Pouliot said that aspect will be addressed in a future Zoning Committee meeting.

Going forward, Dobosz shared that the City Council will host a Licensing Meeting on July 25 at 6:30 p.m. to study the above ground gas station.