Bedford Planning Board Unanimously Approves Former Walmart Building for Light Manufacturing

BEDFORD — September 13, 2021 — Bedford Planning Board unanimously approves change of use for the former Walmart at 17 Colby Court, converting the 121,000-square-foot vacant building to light manufacturing. The board granted final site plan approval to applicant R.J. Kelly Co., Incorporated and property owner Colby Court Owner, LLC, adding eight conditions to the staff recommendation after neighbors on the building's residential north and west sides raised concerns about a deteriorating wood-panel fence, dead trees, exterior noise, and delivery hours. Key conditions require that dead trees along the perimeter be removed before winter and that fencing along Glenwood Avenue and Salem Street be restored to original Walmart site plan specifications no later than May 30, 2022; any future plans for a third operational shift will require separate Planning Board approval. A traffic study by consultant Steve Purna projected a drop from 502 peak-hour vehicle trips under retail use to 41 under light manufacturing — a reduction of more than 90 percent. No tenant has been signed for the site, which has been vacant since approximately 2019.