SOUTHINGTON, CT — Plans to transform the former Plan B Burger Bar on Spring Street into two fast-casual restaurants — Cava and Panda Express — will return to Southington's Planning and Zoning Commission after commissioners raised concerns about traffic, landscaping and other aspects of the redevelopment.
The commission unanimously voted Sept. 15 to table a site plan application from 20 Spring Street Associates LLC for the property at 20 Spring St.
Plans call for converting the vacant 5,020-square-foot, single-tenant building into two restaurant spaces without expanding the existing building footprint.
The proposed tenants are Cava, a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant, and Panda Express, a Chinese fast-casual restaurant.
The Cava space would be about 2,500 square feet, while Panda Express would occupy about 2,520 square feet, according to the meeting minutes.
The application does not propose entertainment or alcohol sales.
The redevelopment also calls for reconfiguring the parking lot and adding a drive-through with space for a 10-vehicle queue and a bypass lane.
Two dumpster pads would be installed, while the existing access from Spring Street would remain.
Attorney Timothy Herbst, general counsel for MB Financial Group LLC and representative for the applicant, told the commission the existing building would be renovated rather than expanded.
Project engineer Paul Rodriguez of Solli Engineering said the building's shell would be reused and the facade renovated.
Plans also call for a bicycle rack because of the property's proximity to the linear trail.
Parking and traffic generated much of the commission's discussion.
The property currently has 78 parking spaces.
Plans initially proposed 62 spaces, compared with 42 required for the proposed restaurant uses.
After town staff raised concerns about spaces near the drive-thru, the applicant agreed to eliminate four spaces, leaving 58.
Commissioner Caleb Cowles said he wanted the project's forthcoming traffic study to address how many trips each restaurant would generate and the potential effect on traffic backing up along Spring Street toward Queen Street.
"That area can back up pretty far from other businesses in the immediate vicinity," he said.
Commissioner Susan Locks also expressed concern about backups near Chili's across the street, saying additional congestion could become "a nightmare."
Rodriguez said the traffic study, expected within about two weeks of the meeting, would examine the concerns.
Plans include a "Do Not Block" sign and pavement markings intended to help with queuing.
Commissioner Michael Goodrich, meanwhile, called for attention to landscaping because of the site's visibility to motorists entering Southington from the nearby highway exit.
Rodriguez said the applicant initially planned to retain the existing landscaping but would consider improvements.
Southington Assistant Town Planner David Lavallee also suggested landscaping around the proposed dumpster enclosures because of their visibility.
Southington PZC Chairman Steve Walowski said the application needed more complete information before the commission could act.
He requested a landscaping plan, a traffic study, and lighting that is full cut-off LED and dark-sky compliant.
Walowski also said the proposed restaurants represented a more intensive use than the property's previous operation and told the applicant to address the planning staff's comments before returning.
"What was there formerly was a little more passive than what you are proposing," Walowski said. "Please address the Planner's comments, and we look forward to seeing you at the next meeting."
No members of the public commented on the application.
The Southington PZC next meets Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the John J. Weichsel Municipal Center.
From May 14, 2025: 'Popular Restaurant Chain Closing Southington Site'
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