By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — A plan for a drive-through at an unnamed “fast-casual” restaurant at 1060 Post Road East has neighbors concerned.

The lot at the corner of Church Lane South was for decades home to a Mobil gas station, but in recent years has sat unused, and recently cleared of structures.

It’s the northwest corner of the Post Plaza shopping center, which seemingly was to be anchored by an Amazon Fresh store. But despite buildouts, repaving and various approvals, the supermarket space has sat silent, like numerous other Amazon “zombie” stores nationwide.

The plan for a restaurant at the old gas station has been discussed previously by the town’s Architectural Review Board, but it will be before the Zoning Board of Appeals for relocation of non-conforming coverage and landscape buffer location (to permit outdoor dining within landscape buffer setback).

“The proposed site improvements to the former gas station parcel will further reduce the site’s existing non-conformities with the elimination of excess curb cuts to comply with regulations and improve vehicular circulation and safety,” read a statement from architect Frederick William Hoag.

Church Lane South is a residential road. Neighbors of the plaza were vocal during the Amazon application process, and seven neighbors so far have weighed in on the restaurant proposal.

“Our primary concern lies in the fact that the proposed plan designates a single entrance on Church Street South, a predominantly residential street apart from the commercial lots facing Post Road East,” wrote Abby Aladesuru of Church Street South. “I am deeply apprehensive about the potential surge in traffic, especially the congestion that tends to accompany drive-thru establishments.”

“As far as I know, there is only one other drive-thru establishment along the Post Road,” wrote Aiko Nose of Church Street South. “This establishment, Starbucks at 1000 Post Road East, often sees backup onto the Post Road, effectively making Post Roast an one-way street, routinely blocking traffic.”

“Having the drive thru will make this already dangerous and busy intersection worse,” wrote Steven Selzet of Church Street South.

“With the potential tenant being unnamed we have to think of the worst type of traffic [imagine Starbucks and Chick-fil-A],” wrote Karol and Brian Brumit of Church Street South.

The Chick-fil-A location on Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk has become the poster child for drive-through/zoning/traffic nightmare scenarios in the region, with traffic routinely backing up onto Route 1. It’s been closed in recent weeks for renovations while a second lane is added to the drive-through, among other modifications.

The Zoning Board of Appeals meets Nov. 14, but an agenda has not yet been posted.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.