The fast-food franchise Wendy’s is looking to build a new restaurant on Route 119, with some members of the Planning Board expressing concerns that the planned building doesn’t go far enough to fit into the style of the area.

On Tuesday night, Jason Hill, a project manager with engineering, surveying and architectural firm TF Moran, representing Wendy’s, presented plans for a new restaurant building. The building would be split into a Wendy’s restaurant and drive-through on one side, and a to-be-determined fast-casual dining restaurant on the other.

The lot, next to the Hometown Diner, currently includes a two-family home, which would be torn down to make way for the new construction. Hill said traffic studies suggest there is no need for a turning lane on Route 119, and the business has sufficient sight lines for exiting. He said developers are seeking to start construction on the building this year. 

The Wendy’s side of the restaurant is planned to be 2,245 square feet, and the tenant restaurant would have 1,400 square feet. The two establishments would share a 31-space parking lot. 

The proposed design of the building is square, with abutments for signage for each of the restaurants. Planning Board members questioned how the design fit into the area of the Gateway Central district, which specifically calls for the encouragement of businesses that fit a New England aesthetic. Select Board ex-officio Bob Hamilton called out the discrepancy, calling the design “not in rural character,” saying, “It’s just a brown box right now.”

Planning Board member Curt Seppala agreed, saying the design was more in line with what is acceptable in the Gateway East district. 

“Put it between the Walmart and Hannaford’s, and rock and roll,” Seppala said. 

Hill said the design was not out of line with the nearby Domino’s, and did use a muted color palette of earth tones. 

Planning Board Chair Roberta Oeser had recused herself from the case, and spoke as a member of the audience. She compared the building to two nearby neighbors, and said the boxy structure would detract from the area. She suggested the instead of a flat roof, the design incorporate a mansard, or curbed, roof.

Resident Suzanne Hepburn pointed out that while the intent of the Gateway Central district might have been to retain New England character, she could point to several nearby businesses and construction that didn’t, naming the Domino’s, the gas station and the recent Kathleen’s Place condominiums. 

Tim Halliday, owner of the Hometown Diner, submitted a letter against the development, concerned about the impact on his outdoor diners, the unattractiveness of the building, and what he felt were undersized parking spaces.

The board also found that the proposed sign for the business was beyond the height allowed by the district’s sign ordinance. Hill indicated the developer would not be seeking a variance for the sign, and would adjust the plan to fit the town’s ordinance.

The board continued the hearing, proposing Hill return with a more-definitive design for the building or an argument for how the design fit the New England aesthetic and clearer information on seating capacity, as well as some other questions. The board continued the meeting until July 1 at 7 p.m. at the Rindge  town office.

Ashley Saari can be rea ched at  603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.