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Former Saybrook Bowling Alley Redevelopment Hearing Extended

At the Aug. 6 Zoning Commission meeting, the public hearing on the application from 923 Boston Post Road, LLC, for the Shops at Oyster River retail development was continued. A drive-through Dunkin’ Donuts and an Agway store with outdoor display space is proposed for the former bowling alley site.

This applicant, 923 Boston Post Road, LLC, sought approval of a special exception permit to build the new retail development at 923 Boston Post Road. The Shops at Oyster River would include a 2,254 square-foot drive-through restaurant and 22,257 square feet of retail with a 3,251 square foot outdoor display space.

As the discussion began, it was soon clear that the town’s consultants, due to vacations, had not had sufficient time to review revised project plans dated July 27. As a result, the applicant’s agent, David Royston, said the applicant agreed that the commission could extend the public hearing to its next meeting set for Monday, Aug. 20.

The extension of time allows the town’s consultants and the commissioners time to review the revised set of plans prepared by the applicant.

The Zoning Commissions opened the public hearing at its July 16 meeting. At that meeting, the Zoning Commission heard about the Architectural Review Board (ARB) efforts to ensure the project’s design is compatible with the locale. The ARB, a body advising the Zoning Commission, voted to recommend that the Zoning Commission approve the permit.

During ARB’s review, the applicant and the ARB members talked at length about whether and how the design of each building might be modified to improve the compatibility of the two designs. The Dunkin’ Donuts building as proposed is modern in style while the Agway Store, as proposed, is a barn-like farm design.

Also at issue was the size and location of the proposed store sign. Despite giving approval to the plans, ARB in its motion asked the Zoning Commission to read through the ARB meeting minutes to understand the discussion ARB had about the project’s design details and signage.