Not so fast
Toolbox
By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: March 20, 2009
LUDLOW — Residents voiced their opposition Tuesday night to a proposed fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru window.
More than 20 people — the largest audience in recent memory — attended the Planning Commission meeting at Town Hall for a public hearing on a petition from Champlain Oil that would amend the town's zoning to allow the construction of a building with two or more uses and a drive-thru window.
Attorney Larry Slason, who spoke on behalf of the applicant, said he was aware the town has a history of not allowing freestanding fast-food restaurants, but noted this plan would incorporate a restaurant into a Jiffy Mart gas station and convenience store.
The proposed site is on Route 103 south of the village between Cota & Cota and Panarello's restaurant, and Slason said the location would preserve the character of the village. Slason said the restaurant had not been determined, but did say it would "likely be one of the major chains."
Mike McDermott, of Champlain Oil, said the plans include a 3,500-square-foot building with three gas pumps and a drive-thru window.
Richard Nye, who lives in Brookhaven Condominiums across Route 103 from the proposed site, said he is opposed to the project.
"Our most precious asset is our view," Nye said. "They're going to come up from Proctorsville Gulf and boom, there's a McDonald's right in front of them."
Robert Higgins noted there are already four gas stations in town — Gulf, Mobil, Shell and Sunoco, as well as a closed gas station that used to be a Jiffy Mart — and doesn't need a fifth. He also said the town doesn't need any fast-food restaurants, but Main Street is already home to a Subway and a Dunkin' Donuts.
Slason noted the town's bylaw already allows gas stations and reminded people the proposed amendment is only to allow a multiuse building with a drive-thru window. He said the applicant had collected signatures from 5 percent of the town's voters and Champlain Oil just wants to see if the town would be open to amending the bylaw.
One resident at the meeting said she supported the idea. Anne Nowak, a resident of the town since 1960, said a fast-food restaurant would serve Ludlow residents the way McDonald's serves residents in Rutland and Springfield.
"We've seen so many changes in Ludlow and they've all been toward the tourists, not the Ludlow people themselves," she said.
Following the open meeting, the Planning Commission finalized a report to submit to the Select Board, which will take up the issue at a later date.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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