Mayor: Old Honda lot under agreement; developers exploring small retail and daycare options

Mayor Robert Hedland told viewers there is now an agreement on the old Honda lot at Washington and Front Street, though he cautioned the arrangement is not final and remains subject to planning review. Hedland said what looked like construction activity recently was contractor equipment related to utility work on Washington Street, not active site development.

He recounted earlier proposals, including a widely discussed Aldi that later withdrew and a fast-food operator whose traffic plan failed to pass muster. ‘‘We chased one fast food operator away that came in with a crazy plan…we said ‘Show us how the traffic’s going to go,’’’ Hedland said. He said the current prospective plan is for a small strip of lower-impact uses—examples cited included a bank branch and coffee shop—and that one potential user is an existing Weimoth business.

Planning staff are reviewing how a daycare could be sited safely on the parcel given drop-off and pick-up concerns. Hedland said one daycare operator responded to the RFP but found the financial case challenging. The mayor stressed that any final plan will have to address circulation and child-safety concerns before approvals are granted.

Hedland also noted that the town’s zoning already allows a gas station at some sites and referenced a separate update on a proposed BJ’s gas station at Route 53 that has been quiet recently. He said neighbors’ traffic and exit concerns are legitimate and that the town will continue to scrutinize traffic plans during reviews.

The mayor encouraged residents to continue raising concerns through the planning department and said the town will share updates if and when formal applications are filed.