Stafford Street Traffic and Hyatt Street Emergency Access

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and figures may be misheard.

What: neighbors and board members raised existing traffic and safety problems on Stafford Street near Lello Street and Route 9, and whether Hyatt Street can serve as an emergency access for the proposed 232 Stafford Street (ZB-2026-068) development.
Where it stands: raised at the 2026-08-10 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing; the board treated it as a city issue beyond its authority and passed it to the Planning Board and Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM).
Next: a full traffic study and Hyatt Street design at Planning Board site plan review.

A Cherry Valley resident cited MassDOT counts of about 6,100 vehicles a day near the entrance, about 9,300 near Lello Street and about 12,300 at Stafford and James Street, 30 crashes in five years at that intersection, and winter hazards on "Dead Horse Hill" (about a 10 percent grade).
Board member Erik Bartenhagen found the Stafford and Lello intersection hard to exit and said Hyatt Street needs major work to carry emergency trucks.
The applicant's traffic report found no significant impact; DTM questioned the counts and asked for a transportation demand management plan, bike storage and WRTA coordination. Only a draft study was filed.
The chair said Stafford Street needs city attention and suggested residents contact their district councilor.

2026-08-10 - Zoning Board of Appeals - Public comment and board discussion during the 232 Stafford Street hearing; no traffic-specific condition added.