BJ's Gas Station, Wendy's Planned For Rt. 1 Office Building Site

NORWOOD, MA — The office building that sits at 1420 Boston-Providence Highway could soon become a Wendy’s and a BJ’s gas station.

Representatives for the property owners were in front of the zoning board of appeals Tuesday as part of an effort to get a special permit for the site. Located across from the Home Depot on Route 1, the site owners are hoping to demolish the office building and replace it with the fast food restaurant and gas station.

The three-acre site would be split into two to allow the tenants more control over their areas. David Hern, an attorney representing the applicant, told the ZBA.

The Wendy’s is estimated to be 2,100 square feet and the gas station will include only the station and a small kiosk for the attendant.

The site plan calls for two entrances on Route 1 and two more on Sumner Street, a plan that Town Engineer Mark Ryan called unacceptable in a memo to the board.

Residents in the nearby neighborhood, along with some board members, showed concern about the amount of traffic that could be generated by the site.

“A lot of people are going to shop gasoline and I think this is going to turn into a nightmare. I’m not as concerned about Wendy’s but I am concerned about the two turns onto Sumner Street,” board member Jack Perry said.

Representatives for the applicant said they don’t expect much more traffic, telling the board that the discount price at the gas station is for BJ’s members only and the Wendy’s won’t open until 10:30 a.m.

The plan goes back in front of the board June 20.