HARWICH – A proposed mixed-use convenience store property with two upstairs apartments in Harwich Center has finally received planning board approval.
After about a year of planning and several concerns from local residents an updated design plan was approved this month for the former Getty gas station property.
Howard Cahoon, the project attorney for Saumil Patel, a proposed buyer of the property, presented the final design plan to the planning board.
Cahoon said the plan has addressed concerns from local residents at the last planning board meeting and that a row of Leland cypress will be planted at the edge of the parking lot, along with the addition of a retaining wall. The neighbors have expressed satisfaction with the changes, according to the attorney.
Cahoon said the plan also calls for retaining as many of the natural trees on the property as possible.
The new design also included 25 parking spaces to address zoning issues as 23 are required.
“This will be a vast improvement not only to the property, but to the neighborhood,” said Charleen Greenhalgh, the town planner.
Greenhalgh said the Town Engineer Griffin Ryder has approved the revised plan, but also had some recommendations.
One of the recommendations was the removal of two parking spaces near the dumpster.
Greenhalgh said the painted sidewalk would also need to comply with the town’s sidewalk policy.
The timber guardrail does not need to be changed, but the town engineer questioned if it would be enough to stop a vehicle.
The plans also decreased the number of drainage catch basins from two to one. Greenhalgh said a second one will be allowed if it is deemed necessary during construction.
Another recommended condition includes ADA compliant sidewalks.
“At this time staff is supportive of this,” Greenhalgh said.
Patel hopes to complete the purchase soon and break ground on the property sometime in September.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
