Another Fast Food Restaurant Wants to Open in Framingham

Originally posted at 1 a.m. Updated to give photo credit.

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In 2013, the Framingham Planning Board rejected a drive-thru proposal by McDonald’s on Route 9, but now Wendy’s is hoping the elected board will grant their request.

The Wendy’s Company applied to construct an 3,500 square foot, 100-seat restaurant with a drive-thru service window at 1699 Worcester Road. The plans also propose outdoor seating for 16 people.

The site has been empty since the Tin Alley Grill closed in 2008. Originally, it was a Ground Round restaurant.

The Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. to hear the application.

Wendy’s is requesting a special permit for a drive thru and approval to reduce the number of required parking spaces. The site would require 62 parking spaces, and the application is asking for approval of 56 spaces.

The proposed Wendy’s will have a full-access driveway on California Avenue and a minor entrance only from Route 9 westbound via the Hess gas station, according to documents submitted to the Planning Board.

A consultant for Wendy’s - Conley Associates - analyzed the existing transportation conditions and determined future conditions, including calculating the number of trips associated with the proposed Wendy’s restaurant.

Between 2010-2012, there were 36 accidents at the intersection of Route 9 at California Avenue, 9 accidents at the
intersection of Route 9 at the Hess Gas station driveways, and one accident at the intersection of California Avenue at the site drive (its previous occupant was Tin Alley Grill), according to the traffic consultant’s reports submitted to the Planning Board. In addition, there were two accidents at the driveway to Evolve fitness, which is located just north of the proposed Wendy’s site, noted the report.

A total of 13 crashes occurred in 2010, 18 crashes occurred in 2011, and 17 crashes occurred in 2012. Although more than 60 percent of the accidents involved property damage only, one fatality was reported at the intersection of Route 9 at California Avenue, according to the consultant’s report.

In January 2013, the Framingham Planning Board rejected a request for a special permit for a drive thru McDonald’s at the intersection of California Avenue and Worcester Road. McDonald’s chose not to appeal the decision and withdrew its application.

The property is owned by First Twentieth Century Realty Trust, according to paperwork filed with the Planning Board.

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Photo Credit: Wendy’s Corp