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Neighbors raise flood, traffic and parking concerns as Taco Bell proposal at Stop & Shop plaza is introduced
Summary
DE Foods presented plans for a ~2,120‑sq‑ft freestanding Taco Bell at 65 Newport Ave (a PUD amendment) and the planning board continued the matter to April 8 after neighbors questioned floodplain constraints, piling, traffic and parking; a neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24.
The board took an initial presentation on an application from DE Foods LLC to place a freestanding ~2,120‑square‑foot Taco Bell on the Stop & Shop parcel at 65 Newport Avenue, and continued the PUD amendment application to the April 8 meeting after neighbor comment and staff direction.
Planning staff read a memorandum from the city solicitor explaining sequencing for PUD matters and reaffirming that the Planning Board's advisory review is appropriate at this stage. Applicant counsel described prior discussions with city staff and said the team would attend a neighborhood meeting on Feb. 24 to gather feedback before the next public hearing.
Civil engineer Hussein Sevinzkeil presented site plans showing a pad in the southwest corner of the plaza, a seven‑car drive‑through stacking lane, a drive‑through lane arranged to avoid backing onto public streets, and utilities routed from Holbrook Road. He noted the project sits in a flood zone and said the conservation commission approved the applicant's floodproofing approach on Jan. 7; the design team proposed infiltration for roof runoff and tie‑ins to the plaza drainage system. The applicant also said it will provide a grease trap and a sewer manhole as requested by city engineering.
Neighbors raised several concerns at the hearing. Christine LeBlanc of 104 Farrington Street asked whether pilings would be required for construction because the area is marshy and said residents have experienced vibration damage and ponding in the past during construction nearby: "Are there going to be pilings with this restaurant? It is a mash. We live on a mash." Other commenters questioned additional traffic at the Stop & Shop plaza, the need for another fast‑food outlet, and the project’s effect on parking and snow removal.
Applicant representatives said they have coordinated with city traffic staff and prepared a trip‑generation and intersection analysis that will be peer reviewed; they also said deliveries are expected off‑peak and that their design avoids backup onto public rights‑of‑way. The board asked the applicant to refine drawings (for example, to mark existing Stop & Shop/retail as existing rather than 'proposed') and to return with peer‑review responses and traffic engineering details.
The board continued the PUD amendment hearing to the April 8 meeting and the applicant agreed to meet with the neighborhood on Feb. 24. Peer review and departmental comments will be addressed before the next hearing.
