Chick‑fil‑A proposal draws preservation and traffic opposition; credit‑union plan approved, restaurant plan fails

The commission combined public hearings for 6.2 and 6.3 concerning two adjacent parcels on Washington Street. Attorney Rich Carrella and engineers presented a plan for two parcels: one intended for a 5,020‑sq‑ft restaurant with a dual‑lane drive‑through (reported prospective tenant: Chick‑fil‑A) and the other for a 2,500‑sq‑ft DutchPoint Credit Union branch with two banking drive‑through lanes. The applicant presented revised plans and traffic‑engineering work indicating signal and geometry changes that the traffic consultant said would preserve intersection operations.

Public testimony was extensive. Preservation advocates from the Middlesex County Historical Society described the South Maid homestead (c.1739) and urged in‑place preservation; residents and public‑safety commenters warned of cumulative stacking and spillback onto Route 66 (Washington Street) and urged a cumulative corridor study that includes an already‑approved 7 Brew drive‑through. The applicant said the plan included options to disassemble and preserve the historic house and noted outreach to the historical society; the traffic engineer stated his reanalysis showed no material change in level of service and predicted improved sight lines and a left‑turn lane. The commission voted separately: the restaurant application (6.2) failed to gain the required affirmative votes; the credit‑union application (6.3) passed with conditions recommended by staff (lot line/easements and deconstruction/cataloging of the historic dwelling for relocation if necessary).