New building in Westminster town center up for review
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER
"We have to allow

The orginial Joe's Bistrio building is scheduled for demolition, while the Planning Board prepares to review a site plan for a new building, which may house a Dunkin' Donuts.

the site plan, we

just want it to be designed correctly

and safely."

- ALICIA ALTIERI, WESTMINSTER TOWN PLANNER

9 at "We have to the site plan, just want designed correctly The Planning Board's review of the site plan for the Village Square in Westminster center was delayed because neighbors weren't notified in time.

Joe Pandiscio submitted a design for a new building on the front of

and safely."

- ALICIA WESTMINSTER TOWN

his lot at the Village Square, which was scheduled for review on Monday, March 26. Town Planner Alicia Altieri said the hearing was continued to April 9 at 8:30 p.m. in the Town

Hall.

" T h e y ' r e

going to tear

to allow

down the

plan, we existing Joe's

Bistro," said it to be

Altieri.

Joe's Bistro

correctly

has occupied

safely." that spot for

about 28 years.

ALICIA ALTIERI,

The restaurant

TOWN PLANNER

has now

moved into the new building at the rear of the property.

The proposed building is just over half the size of the large white building now on the lot. The new structure would house three stores, one with a drive-thru window.

Residents have expressed concern about the traffic pattern within the shopping center as well as the concepts of two of the proposed tenants.

Pandiscio has told the town he doesn't have any contract signed for the new building. But there have been discussions of a Dunkin' Donuts and a Subway going there.

Altieri said the site plan review process does not allow a project to be denied and that the drive-thru is allowed in the center shopping area according to the bylaws.

"It's an approval process, so we can approve with conditions," she said. "We have to allow the site plan, we just want it to be designed correctly and safely."

The board will look at traffic circulation, which Altieri agrees needs to get better, as well as building design, integration into the site, landscaping and parking.

"We will look at the architectural design as part of our site plan review," Altieri said.

She said one of the difficulties with the site is that the Pandiscios do not own the building that houses the grocery store or the mixed-used building next door to the store. She said that means the Planning Board can only request improvements to the land owned by the Pandisicos.