City Board Approves Controversial Chipotle Drive-Thru Plan

The Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals convened on June 24, 2024, in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and remote participation. The meeting, chaired by Russ Karlstad, confirmed a quorum of board members and outlined procedural guidelines for public comments and the handling of agenda items.

During the session, the board addressed several administrative matters, including the withdrawal of a variance application for 137 Natural History Drive and the continuance of a special permit application for 212 Oak Knoll Road, which is now scheduled for a public hearing on July 15, 2024. Additionally, an administrative appeal for 11 Earl Terrace was postponed to August 5, 2024, with board members expressing a desire for this to be the final delay after a year of postponements.

The primary item on the agenda was a continued hearing for a special permit application concerning 79 Pullman Street, where the applicant, Lacey Topaz, LLC, proposed to construct a Chipotle restaurant with a drive-thru. The board noted that the applicant had resolved outstanding issues with the Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) regarding traffic studies. The DTM expressed comfort with the proposed use, contingent upon certain conditions, including that the special permit would be invalidated if the operator ceased to be Chipotle.

After a brief public comment period, which yielded no responses, the board unanimously approved the application, allowing the construction to proceed under the specified conditions. The meeting concluded with a reminder for attendees to check with the planning division for updates on postponed items.