Finnerty's Plan Draws Praise, Put Downs During Planning Board Hearing

It was standing room only at a Sept. 4 Wayland Planning Board public hearing on developers’ plans to replace the former Finnerty’s restaurant in Cochituate with commercial property featuring a CVS and a second building with office and restaurant space.

About 60 people attended the hearing, and 15 addressed their concerns or compliments on the project to the board. Criticism ranged from traffic and safety issues to simply not wanting a CVS in the village, while others said they would be happy to see activity at the vacant corner of Main and West Plain streets.

The proposed project, by Wayland developers Jesse Adelman and Matt Levy, includes about 25,700-square-feet of commercial space, including an approximately 11,000-square-foot CVS building on the corner, with an about 14,000-square-foot building next to it on West Plain Street containing a restaurant and second-floor office space. The CVS would also include a two-lane pharmacy drive-through, according to the plans.

The developers twice in July, with that board providing feedback including that it did not believe a drive-through was needed as the CVS on Rte. 20 had one. While the board said it applauded the goal at the site, it wanted to preserve the village feel, and the CVS building as proposed “is merely a large decorated box, of colonial style details.”

Safety is also a factor, said Town Planner Sarkis Sarkisian, noting town staff and the fire chief are concerned with one of three proposed entrances to the site, the one on Main Street across the road from Fire Station No. 2 (with two others planned on West Plain Street).

Lawyer Ann Sobolewski, representing the developers, said having three entrances was crucial to traffic flow within the site, and to prevent backups at the stop light. She also noted there was a lot of discussion with CVS to get the building size reduced, while likely the developers would seek a variance to have 137 parking spaces instead of the 160 required. She also showed new details that gave the building more of a colonial feel.

Traffic, and what it may lead to, was the concern of King Street resident Arlene Schuler. King and Mitchell streets run behind the proposed site, and are already used at times by drivers who cut through the neighborhood, from Main Street to West Plain Street, to avoid the light.

Neighbor Nell Getz also said she counted 23 cars Tuesday morning cutting through during the morning commute.

“I’m concerned this will exacerbate the problem,” said Schuler, who noted the streets are not wide, there are no sidewalks and drivers speed. “This has to be considered as part of this.”

Molly Upton called the project “an ugly eyesore” and said she sees no need for a CVS at the Finnerty's site. She also has concerns with the safety of adults and children walking to the nearby ball field, and about the idea of an entrance across from the fire station.

“There should be a single curb cut on West Plain,” she said. “This is appropriate for Route 9 or 20 … this is zoned commercial, but abuts residential.”

The project did have its supporters, including Nicholas Donnell, who urged the board to resolve the issues it has with the plan.

“This is a terrific development the town needs,” he said. “The site has lingered too long without it.”

John Boyle said he liked the project, and the area outside the restaurant and office building where people could go and hang out. He’d love to have somewhere he can go with his children and sit and have an ice cream, he said.

“Endorse the project,” Boyle said. “I think it’s an important site in town. Having those amenities is important to the revenue in town.” 

One of the last to speak, Sean Sweeney said it looked like the only objection people have is with the CVS.

“Have you looked for an alternative?” he asked. “It seems like CVS tried once, failed, and is now trying again. Are they a good neighbor to have?”

The hearing was ultimately continued to Monday, Sept. 24, and Planning Board Chairman Kent Greenawalt said people would have a several more opportunities to voice their opinions on the project at future hearings. He also noted that about 10 letters had also been received from residents, voicing their opinions.

Documents from Tuesday's hearing will be posted on the town's website, officials said.