Weston Planning Board continues childcare center review, seeks traffic and lighting consultants

WESTON — June 29, 2022 — Weston Planning Board continues disputed childcare center review as Wayland official challenges traffic safety claims. The board voted unanimously at its June 29 meeting to push the limited site plan review for the proposed Artisan Childcare Center at 863 Boston Post Road to July 27, the last session before the August recess, pending outside peer review of on-site traffic circulation and a lighting analysis by town consultant Lucas Sturm. Traffic consultant Rick Bryant of Stantec presented a voluntary traffic monitoring agreement featuring a $35,000 escrow fund — intended to finance neighborhood traffic calming measures such as speed humps and median islands costing $10,000 to $15,000 each — if post-opening counts showed increased cut-through traffic on Westway Road or Applecrest Drive. Stephen Crane, acting town manager of Wayland, forcefully disputed the applicant's framing that on-site vehicle movements fell outside the Planning Board's jurisdiction, calling the circular drop-off layout "literally an accident waiting to happen." The board separately continued a residential site plan for 96 Love Lane to July 13, citing unresolved questions over stone veneer depth and rear-yard screening, and unanimously approved a pergola and outdoor kitchen addition at 400 Concord Road.