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Planning Board extends review of Black Belt LLC drive‑through application, continues public hearing to May 8
Summary
The Planning Board voted to extend by 65 days the statutory review period for Black Belt LLC’s proposed drive‑through at the corner of Marcydale Road and scheduled a continued public hearing for May 8 so the applicant can produce a traffic study and revised plans.
The Planning Board voted to extend by 65 days the statutory review period for an application from Black Belt LLC to build a drive‑through restaurant at the southern corner of Marcydale Road, giving the applicant until June 23 to complete a traffic study and revised plans. The board also continued the public hearing to its May 8 meeting so residents and board members can review the updated materials.
The extension motion was made by Planning Board member Michael New York and seconded by Richard; the board approved the extension by voice vote. Planning Board member Brandon moved to continue the public hearing to May 8; the motion passed by voice vote. The board noted that the 65‑day statutory clock remains in effect unless the applicant and board agree to an extension, and that the extension will preserve the applicant’s right to a full review while the traffic work is completed.
The applicant — identified in the record as an applicant representative — told the board, "They are still waiting for their traffic study." At the meeting a resident, Megan K., asked why the board would extend the review for a parcel that she said has not allowed building since the 1980s, saying, "I'm just curious ... why is it such a push to extend for something on a property that hasn't been allowed to have any type of building on in that same location since, like, the eighties." Board members responded that the extension is a courtesy that protects the applicant from an automatic deadline‑driven decision while allowing time for the required traffic and plan revisions.
Under state law the board generally must act on a completed application within 65 days unless the applicant and board agree to an extension; the board’s 65‑day extension will move the statutory deadline to June 23. Board members said they expect the applicant’s traffic study to arrive in May and that the board will set a specific date for the resumed public hearing after receiving the study.
The board postponed approval of the February 27 minutes because one member, Jane Johnson, was not present. The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for May 8, when the continued hearing for Black Belt LLC is expected to resume if the applicant files the traffic study and revised plans.
