CHINA — A plan for a new Dunkin’ Donuts, along with a separate application for an off-road truck park, will come back before town planners next month, following questions raised about both proposals this week.
Thadius Barber wants to expand Fieldstone Quick Stop at the corner of routes 3 and 32 in South China to include a Dunkin’ Donuts. His plan calls for the construction of a 20-foot-by-100-foot addition to the north side of the existing convenience store.
Now the closest Dunkin’ Donuts locations are 15 minutes north and south, in Waterville and in Augusta.
The Planning Board asked several questions about traffic flow, pedestrian access and other necessary state permits, said Code Enforcement Officer Scott Pierz. They’ve asked Barber to get his state permits first, then come back to the town with additional details about the proposal.
“We want to see what’s going on with the other permits,” Pierz said.
The board has not voted formally on whether to hold a public hearing on the application, although there appeared to be a consensus that a hearing would be necessary, he said.
The other new application came from Jeff LaVerdiere, who wants to open Wicked Hills Off Road Truck Park at 271 Parmenter Hill Road. Materials submitted to the board indicate that he wants to open an off-road truck park that uses existing tote roads. He estimated the trucks will travel at low speeds — 5 to 15 mph — and that “noise levels will be considerably lower than farm equipment currently operating at the site.”
Planning Board members asked LaVerdiere to contact Albion officials to see whether they could help respond to any emergencies on the old logging roads. Pierz said Albion has a vehicle that is equipped to travel through that type of terrain.
The board also wanted to know about hours of operation and would like to see an evacuation plan as well, Pierz said.
In the application, LaVerdiere proposes a second phase with campsites and showers, and a third phase with hook-ups for campers and cabin rentals.
Both applicants have been asked to come back Aug. 14 with more information. Neither Barber nor LaVerdiere could be reached for comment Thursday.
Susan Cover — 621-5643
scover@mainetoday.com
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