A joint Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing regarding the proposed Walmart move from Cranberry Plaza in East Wareham to the corner of Cranberry Highway and Tobey Road in West Wareham continued on Tuesday, with the boards hearing a few updates about traffic and parking issues.

"We have a plan to address the operations at Main Street and Tobey Road,” said Matt Smith of Bohler Engineers, adding that the details are still being worked out with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The increased traffic around the area, which is close in proximity to the John W. Decas Elementary School, has been a hot topic during past Walmart public hearings.

According to Smith, he and representatives from Walmart “have had a series of meetings with the DOT" and are hoping to "come to a consensus" regarding traffic issues.

Smith addressed concerns about the driveway off of Tobey Road during peak traffic periods. He said the location of the driveway was reassessed and the design was changed, resulting in the driveway being shifted about 50 feet.

Smith also presented a few  landscaping changes and discussed other aesthetic issues.

“As you arrive you’re arriving to a tree lined boulevard,” said Smith in regards to the redesigned entrance. There will “rain gardens” incorporated into the islands as well.

Rain gardens are depressions in the ground designed to allow rainwater to be more easily absorbed into the ground. This reduces runoff, and helps maintain water quality in the surrounding area. In total, landscaping will occupy 10% of the parking area.

The new design also includes bus shelters for GATRA passengers and bicycle racks.

Ken Ferreira, Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, voiced concern about cart storage in the parking lot during the holiday season and also suggested dedicated parking spaces closer to the building for people such as mothers with babies.

For what may have been the first time during any of Wareham's Walmart public hearings, the boards were met with silence when the meeting was opened for public comment.

Ferreira noted: “We haven’t heard a lot of new things today.”

Zoning Board of Appeals Vice Chair Michael Martin suggested scheduling the next meeting on a Thursday so as to allow members of the Board of Selectmen to attend and voice their thoughts. Selectman Michael Schneider is the Selectmen liaison for both the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission. Selectman Steve Holmes serves as the BOS liaison for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Currently the hearings are held Tuesdays at 7 p.m., conflicting with Board of Selectmen meetings.

The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to continue the meeting to November 10, at 7 p.m., when traffic will be the key issue addressed.

“I’m sure when you see the final plans there will be more comments,” said Ferreira.