The Hudson Planning Board moved one step closer to finalizing plans for a new Restaurant Depot on Lowell Road during its late-June meeting, where project representatives said all outstanding issues had been addressed and asked the Board for formal approval.
Project Engineer Keith Curran of Bohler Engineering returned to the Board alongside Larry Cohen of Restaurant Depot for what they hoped would be the final review. Curran noted that the project had been continued at the previous meeting while peer review comments were pending.
“Last time, we got continued because we were waiting for the peer review comments,” Curran said. “It’s my understanding from the staff notes that those have basically been addressed. We’re looking for formal approval tonight.”
Curran confirmed that the latest version of the site plan included no new changes beyond responses to earlier feedback from town staff and the Conservation Commission. Those adjustments included a waiver request to reduce the number of shrubs in the landscaping plan and clarifications related to slope design at the rear of the property.
Vice-Chair Jordan Ulery asked for clarification on conflicting recommendations from town departments regarding driveway width and slope stability.
“With the driveway width, I know the Fire Department had recommendations for this property,” Ulery said. “Do you recall what those recommendations were and how they were different from Conservation’s recommendations? And what was the justification for a two to one versus three to one slope?”
Curran said he did not recall specific comments from Hudson Fire but explained the differing viewpoints. Conservation favored a two to one slope to reduce disturbance near the wetland, while the Town Engineer preferred a three to one slope for greater longterm stability.
“By going two to one, the footprint of the disturbance would be less and the edge of grading would be further from the wetland,” Curran said. “The Town Engineer thought three to one was more stable and less likely to have erosion control issues.”
Curran emphasized that the applicant was comfortable with either option and willing to add vegetation to stabilize a steeper slope if needed. Planning Board Chair Tim Malley said he generally favored the Town Engineer’s recommendation but left the final decision to the Board’s comfort level.
Board member James Crowley urged the applicant to choose the option that minimized disturbance to the wetlands and buffer zone. He also asked about expected traffic levels given Restaurant Depot’s membership based business model.
Cohen explained that Restaurant Depot operates primarily as a wholesale supplier for restaurants, caterers, and nonprofit groups, with very limited sales to the general public.
“A lot of our stores are open to the public, mostly in retail centers,” Cohen said. “The ones that are open to the public see under 5% of sales to members of the public.” He added that the model generates significantly less traffic than retailers like Costco, a point supported by a traffic study submitted with the application.
After reviewing remaining waiver requests, including one to reduce the number of docking spaces, the Planning Board voted to approve the site plan, clearing a major hurdle for the project.
The approval moves Restaurant Depot closer to breaking ground on its new Hudson location, which will serve as a wholesale hub for food service businesses throughout the region.