A proposed Chipotle restaurant is set to take shape at Shaw's Plaza on Belmont Street, but the project faces hurdles due to flood zone regulations. During the Brockton Conservation Commission meeting on September 17, 2025, developers outlined their plans for the new eatery, which would occupy a corner of the existing parking lot.

The project has already received a special permit for a drive-through lane from the Board of Appeals and has undergone a technical review process. However, concerns about the property being located in a flood zone have complicated matters. The developers explained that the area was historically home to a brook that was piped underground during urban renewal in the 1960s, leading to the current drainage system. Despite the absence of flooding issues over the past 50 years, FEMA has yet to update the flood zone designation.

The developers are currently awaiting documentation from FEMA to clarify the flood zone status of the property. They have requested records from the 1980s that may indicate whether the entire site was removed from the floodplain. Until this information is received, the site plan approval process remains stalled, necessitating the filing of a notice of intent with the Conservation Commission to move forward with the Chipotle construction.

The outcome of this meeting could significantly impact the timeline for the restaurant's opening, as the developers await clarity on the flood zone issue before proceeding.