Plan calls for restaurant with drive-through in Barrington

Restaurant eyes BP gas station site on County Road

Posted 6/18/18

Barrington officials recently received a plan that calls for a new restaurant with a drive-through lane.

The plan was submitted to the town's technical review committee for a "concept review." It …

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Plan calls for restaurant with drive-through in Barrington

Restaurant eyes BP gas station site on County Road

Posted

Barrington officials recently received a plan that calls for a new restaurant with a drive-through lane.

The plan was submitted to the town's technical review committee for a "concept review." It calls for the redevelopment of Lot 332 on County Road — currently home to the BP gas station and an automotive repair shop — into a 2,405-square foot restaurant with off-street parking and a drive-through lane. 

The drive-through would require a special use permit.

"We do have some drive-throughs in town," said Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha, "but it will be up to the planning board whether this fits."

Mr. Cunha said there are a few banks in Barrington that have drive-through lanes, but the banks' hours are different than typical fast-food restaurants which are open later. In addition, this property would directly abut private residences.

"We're going to fully vet this plan," said Mr. Cunha. "The community will have an opportunity to get involved in the process."

Mr. Cunha said the decision to grant a special use permit will eventually fall to the planning board. He added that the proposed business needs to fit the character of Barrington. Mr. Cunha said he does not know what type of restaurant will be proposed, only that it is a "national franchise with many locations."

The plan's concept review had been set for the June 14 meeting, but that meeting was canceled. It is not clear when the issue will be revisited. 

News of a restaurant in place of the gas station and repair shop came as a surprise to Ken and Wendy Wajda, who own the shop and run the station currently on that property. 

Ms. Wajda said the property is owned by Getty Realty, and she and her husband lease it through a company called Cross America Partners. Ms. Wajda said they had previously held a multi-year lease agreement with Cross America, but when that deal expired in January, they moved to a month-to-month lease. 

"They've been telling us they will give us a 10-year lease," she said. 

After learning about the plan, Ms. Wajda questioned her representative from Cross America. She said she is still trying to learn more about what's being planned. Ms. Wajda said they would like to continue running the station and repair shop.

"We've been here 17 years," she said. 

Ms. Wajda added: "We are not going anywhere… and we are going to fight as hard as we can to stay here."

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