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Planning Board continues Starbucks drive‑through proposal pending DOT, DEP permits and final plan revisions
Summary
The Wells Planning Board on May 5 reviewed a proposal to split a parking lot at Wells Plaza for a new Starbucks drive‑through. Staff highlighted fire‑truck turning radius, DOT movement‑permit needs and sidewalk/easement issues; the board approved landscape buffers but continued final approval for 60 days pending permits and plan markups.
The Wells Planning Board on May 5 voted to accept several landscaping buffers for a proposed Starbucks drive‑through at Wells Plaza but continued final approval for up to 60 days while the applicant pursues outstanding state permits and plan revisions.
Aaron Goobie of Petroleum Engineering, representing the owner, told the board the project would split an existing, underused parking parcel adjacent to the car wash and build a drive‑through store with on‑site stacking, a drive‑up pickup lane and a pedestrian connector to Route 1. “We are proposing to develop that into a new Starbucks drive through coffee shop,” Goobie said during the public presentation.
Planning staff summarized cross‑department review comments. Staff said a resident to the north had been consulted and expressed general support if a fence were installed along the property line. Staff also flagged two operational constraints: the town’s fire department raised concerns about tight turning radii for a fire truck and suggested plan options to improve emergency access, and the Maine Department of Transportation movement‑permit process could require a different crosswalk treatment on Mile Road (DOT recommended a raised crosswalk; public works favored an at‑grade, textured crossing).
The board voted to find the proposed residential buffer acceptable based on a six‑foot solid fence and to accept proposed tree plantings for the Route 1 and Edgar Avenue buffers. Staff also reported a written statement from the applicant’s engineer that reducing impervious coverage would improve stormwater conditions; the board accepted that statement.
Because the project depends on external approvals — including DOT movement permits and a DEP site‑location amendment — and because staff asked for draft cross‑easements and minor plan markups (trash barrel locations, turning‑radius adjustments, draft easements and sidewalk construction deadlines), the board approved a 60‑day continuance. Staff recommended that sidewalks or sidewalk easements be tied to future DOT corridor work and that final sidewalk construction be coordinated at the preconstruction meeting in advance of occupancy.
Next steps: the applicant will pursue DOT and DEP approvals, submit updated plans showing the requested markups (including trash/recycling locations and turning‑radius adjustments), and provide draft easements. The board tied final approval to those items and to the timing of the town’s sidewalk triggers and occupancy schedule.
