Panera Bread Proposal Brought to Board of Selectmen

Demolition of the vacant McDonald's building on Main Street may take place to bring Panera Bread to Acton at Kelley's Corner if it can measure up with town zoning requirements.

At a special permit hearing on April 22 taped by Acton TV, the Acton Board of Selectmen listened to a plan for a 129-seat restaurant measured at 4,100 square feet. The proposal also calls for outdoor seating for 30 customers on a 700-square-foot patio.

One issue Selectman Mike Gowing brought forward had to do with the roof that would be partly flat for installation of a HVAC system.

“According to the by-law it's suppossed to be a 9/12 roof and it doesn't appear to be a 9/12 roof at all. I appreciate the effort but I think you fell short on that," Gowing said. "There are violations of the law we cannot allow, until those get cleared up. It kind of stops us from moving forward."

Another issue Gowing had was the plan for a 10-foot sidewalk sheltered by a 10-foot area for shrubbery, that would help hide the trash recepticles.

“That would leave you 10 feet to put in your patio. It’s going to be long and narrow,” Gowing said.

Selectman Chair Janet Adachi said would like more information on the types of plants planned for the landscaping.

“We try to encourage green landscaping in town,” she said.

Proponents representing Panera said they would add nine parking spaces by removing 25 existing ones while adding another 34, and would use the access to the town sewer and drainage system.

One resident who attended the meeting said he supported Panera moving to Acton.

“They reflect our own values here in Acton," said Bruce Green of Trask Road. "We hope we can overcome the issues and that it does fit into the plan for Kelley’s Corner.”

The board opted to continue the discussion to May 20, at 7:45 p.m. and asked for recommendations from the Design Review Board.