Board classifies Enterprise modification at Marginal Street as minor; allows truck rental and truck‑wash conversion

The Chelsea City Planning Board voted to consider an application from Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car a minor modification to existing special permits for the Marginal Street site, clearing the way for Enterprise to add truck rental service and to modify the existing car wash into a truck wash bay.

Doug Valery introduced the proposal on behalf of Enterprise and Scott Rogers of JK HomeGood Engineering explained technical changes: demolition of a small triangular portion of building (approximately 1,500 square feet), a proposed roughly 1,600‑square‑foot expansion to the wash area to accommodate trucks, and a reconfigured parking area that adds ADA and return spaces and “car‑ready” spaces for vehicles awaiting rental. The applicants said they plan to replace the existing 10,000‑gallon fuel tank with a new 10,000‑gallon split tank (diesel and regular) and to install grading/drainage improvements including a rebuilt trench drain connected to an existing catch basin.

Valery told the board the truck fleet would consist of small box trucks used for local moves (similar to Ryder, Penske or U‑Haul), not tractor‑trailers or semis; he said the largest trucks would be roughly 34 feet. The project also includes landscaping changes and new trees and shrubs along the Marginal Street frontage and in a triangular planting area, plus planters along Willow Street.

Board members debated whether the proposal was a major or minor modification to earlier special permits (previous approvals from 2009, 2011 and a 2018 modification). After discussion, members concluded the application was a minor modification and voted to accept that determination. The board made the classification motion and voted in favor; planning staff will continue review under the minor modification process and the applicants must comply with any department and fire‑safety requirements (applicants confirmed they will coordinate with the fire department).