To the editor:

The Feb. 22 issue of the Barrington Times carried an article entitled, “Chipotle plan advancing to Planning, Zoning.” In the article, it was noted that “two residents whose property abuts the Chipotle lot attended the TRC (Technical Review Committee meeting)… and that our “only concern focused on the existing fence that surrounds the property.” I do think that it is somewhat misleading, though, to suggest that the only concern that the project’s neighbors have relates to fencing. In fact, my comments to the TRC at that meeting noted several additional issues that I believe are worthy of discussion, and I recapped those comments in an email to the Town Planner:

It is important for the following issues to be addressed if the restaurant is to be built:

1. Light pollution into abutting and nearby residential areas from the lighting in the parking lot and other outside areas, the signage, and the restaurant itself. Some of the ways that this can be abated were discussed at the meeting, but clearly the following will be important: a) meticulous attention to the directionality of the outside lighting. There is no reason that there should be overflow of light onto residential areas; b) timing of lighting should be adjusted such that outside lights are off during non-business hours and restaurant lighting kept to a minimum during non-business hours. c) A barrier, including fencing and plantings, should be devised so as to minimize the impact of the restaurant on nearby residential areas…

2. Litter/refuse has, in the past, found its way into our yards and neighborhood from the proposed restaurant site. This can be partially prevented by adequate fencing and plantings, as well as attention to restaurant grounds maintenance.

3. Animals and foot traffic. The presence of food and food waste is obviously a risk factor for encouraging the presence of rodents, coyotes, skunks, raccoons and other animals and insects that could find their way into our yards and neighborhood. Attention to proper trash handling, dumpster maintenance and pest control practices and frequent dumpster emptying will be needed to prevent these issues. 

4. Noise. In light of the closeness of the parking lot and the proximity of the service delivery door to abutting properties, noise reduction measures should be undertaken. 

5. Odors. To this point, I have not seen plans addressing the issue of odor abatement, but it would make sense for the restaurant to employ an effective exhaust filtration system.

6. Sanitary waste. The previous tenant on the Getty property presumably added relatively low volume to the sanitary sewer. This volume is likely to be considerably higher with a restaurant, so it would be advisable for the developer to get sign-off from Barrington DPW as to the ability of the sewer system in that area to deal with the expected increase in waste.

Since the meeting, I have met with the Chipotle project developer and landscape architect and we had a productive discussion of the potential impact of the project’s plantings on abutting properties. The other issues that I raised, however, continue to deserve careful consideration. Other Barrington residents may have additional thoughts, questions or concerns beyond what I have raised. Planning Board meetings are open to members of the community and represent one of the primary means available for individuals to express their opinions. I encourage interested members of the community to attend the Planning Board meeting on March 7, at 7 p.m.

James Linakis

Barrington