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Issue · Burlington, MA

85 Wilmington Road Commercial Expansion

Expansion of commercial plaza prompts resident concerns on traffic volumes, child safety, parking, and stormwater near school routes.

Overview

The 85 Wilmington Road commercial expansion proposes adding 17,044 square feet to an existing plaza. Residents have consistently raised infrastructure and quality-of-life concerns during public hearings. The project remains under review after multiple continuances by the Planning Board and Conservation Commission.

Background

The proposed expansion of the commercial plaza at 85 Wilmington Road was introduced through a site plan application by Lalit Kumar and Usha Gandhi seeking to add 17,044 square feet for uses including dining and indoor playgrounds.

At the April 16, 2026 Planning Board meeting, a public hearing was opened on the project. Residents raised multiple concerns about the effects of increased commercial activity on the adjacent residential area, leading the board to defer any decision and instead schedule further research and a site walk.

The Conservation Commission took up the matter on April 23, 2026, and voted to continue its hearing on the stormwater and related aspects of the 85 Wilmington Road proposal to May 14.

On May 7, 2026, the Planning Board again addressed the application. The applicant requested additional time to complete traffic data collection that would avoid conflicts with senior activities at the nearby Chisholm center, resulting in another continuance.

These successive continuances have kept the project in the review process without any final action on the site plan or associated permits.

At the June 18, 2026 Planning Board meeting, the applicant presented revised plans for the 85 Wilmington Road expansion that eliminated one proposed building while updating parking, circulation, drainage, and landscaping. The board raised additional concerns over lighting photometrics, parking ratios, setbacks, dumpster placement, head-in parking safety, screening, sidewalks, and standing water, with public comments focused on traffic and safety impacts; a traffic peer review was requested and the hearing was continued.

How it unfolded
Public hearing opened on site plan for 17,044 sq ft expansion; residents voiced concerns over traffic, noise, light, parking, sewer capacity and zoning legality; board continued hearing to May 7 without decision.
2026-04-16Planning Board
Hearing on 85 Wilmington Road stormwater improvements continued to May 14.
2026-04-23Conservation Commission
Applicant requested more time for traffic study avoiding senior center conflicts; board continued application to May 21.
2026-05-07Planning Board
Hearing on 85 Wilmington Road continued to June 25.
2026-06-11Conservation Commission
Applicant presented revised plans eliminating one building and updating parking, circulation, drainage, and landscaping; board raised concerns on lighting, parking, traffic, stormwater, and safety with public comments received; traffic peer review requested and hearing continued to July 16, 2026.
2026-06-18Planning Board
Arguments against
Increased traffic would create safety hazards at the Prouty/Wilmington Road intersection.
planning-board 2026-04-16
Against
Expansion would generate excessive noise and light pollution affecting nearby homes.
planning-board 2026-04-16
Against
Additional commercial density would strain parking capacity and the local sewer pumping station.
planning-board 2026-04-16
Against
Current property maintenance is neglectful and the zoning may constitute illegal spot zoning.
planning-board 2026-04-16
Against
Building setbacks, light pole adequacy, dumpster location, head-in parking safety, parking ratios, employee parking, screening, sidewalk standards, and standing water need further analysis.
planning-board 2026-06-18
Against
Key voices
“Requested clarification on whether the traffic study would be completed before May 28 to avoid conflict with senior activities at Chisholm center.”
Residentplanning-board 2026-05-07
What's next

Planning Board continuation on July 16, 2026

85 Wilmington Roadtraffic study