Planning board clears Starbucks site walk, flags parking and trash handling at Wells Plaza

The Planning Board on April 7 reviewed results of a site walk conducted April 5 for a proposed Starbucks that would be carved out of the larger Wells Plaza property. Staff said building corners were staked, vegetation screening and drainage were discussed and that an outstanding drainage certification remains to be provided to the planning office.

Board members asked the applicant to show trash receptacles for the drive‑thru on the site plan so customer litter can be managed; the applicant agreed to add them. Staff also recommended appointing the planning office as the completeness agent for the Starbucks submission so the outstanding drainage certification and DOT/DEP permitting items could be resolved administratively; the board unanimously approved that appointment.

Because the Starbucks lot will be split from the larger Wells Plaza property, staff discussed how to account for existing employee parking and dumpster locations when considering a formal reduction in required parking. Staff advised showing existing employee parking on the plan to potentially reduce the board’s required parking reduction from roughly 100 spaces to a smaller number.

Outcome: the planning office was appointed completeness agent and the applicant will return with updated plans showing trash receptacles, drainage certification and any adjustments reflecting existing employee parking and dumpster relocation.