Two Fast Food Restaurants Proposed for Property near Queen St Exit
One of the first buildings visitors to Southington see if they take the westbound ramp off I-84 onto Queen Street has lain vacant since May, after the previous occupant, restaurant Plan B, shut down.
Now that may change, if a developer’s proposal for the property at 20 Spring Street receives town approval.
According to the plan, which was reviewed by Planning and Zoning Tuesday night, the 5,020 square foot property would be partitioned into two spaces of roughly equal size.
The space on the north side of the building would be occupied by a CAVA. CAVA – not to be confused with Cava Italian Restaurant on West Street – is relatively new, nationwide fast-food chain that specializes in Mediterranean-themed food.
The space on the south side of the structure would be occupied by a Panda Express. Panda Express, a more established fast-food chain, features what it calls ‘American Chinese cuisine.’
The two restaurants, which are described in the application as “high-turnover,” are clearly designed to appeal to travelers coming off the interstate for a quick pit stop.
To keep that turnover going, the Panda Express would also have a drive-thru window.
Comments made by members of Planning and Zoning at Tuesday night’s meeting focused on two areas: aesthetics and traffic burden.
Commissioner Mike Goodrich asked the presenter, Paul Rodrigues from Solli Engineering, to develop a fuller plan for landscaping the edges of the property, given its visibility and the presence of two dumpster pads on the site.
In addition, several members of the commission expressed concern about effects the proposed businesses would have on the traffic flow at one of Southington’s busiest intersections. The drive-thru and the proposed 62 parking spaces point to a large number of vehicles coming in and out.
Commissioner Susan Locks noted that the exit queu from the Chili’s across the street is often backed up. “So,” she said, “if we have a backup across the street, it’s going to become a nightmare.”
Commissioner Caleb Cowles told Rodrigues that when the traffic study comes out, they are going to be looking carefully at the impact on the queue on Spring Street.
Commission Chair Steve Walowski wrapped up the commission’s comments by alluding to restrictions that had been placed on the previous owners by the town to enhance traffic flow, and noted that the same restrictions may be on the table. He observed that the previous establishment “was a little more passive,” and that “adding a drive-thru… is a whole other animal.”
Planning and Zoning tabled any final decision on the application until its next meeting.
181 Main Street Proposal
In other Planning and Zoning news, the former site of Thai Spice at 181 Main Street will also be undergoing a major change if the town approves a plan presented by Kratzert, Jones & Associates on behalf of the property owner, Dong Qi Kai.
Under the plan, the existing structure would be demolished and a new, two-story building constructed in its place.
The first floor of the building would be designated for retail, while the second floor would have two studio apartments.
Comments from the commission on the plan were generally positive.
