By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — The application for an unnamed restaurant with a drive-through window was read into the record by Zoning Board of Appeals at its Tuesday meeting, but no testimony was heard.

The application for 1072 Post Road East, also known as 1060 Post Road East, was filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals in October. It was expected to have a hearing at the meeting, but last week Fire Marshal Terrence Dunn Jr. wrote a critical assessment of the plan.

“The proposed ‘Casual Fast Food Restaurant’ located at 1076 Post Road East shows a one-way driveway with a new drive-thru feature that raises concern of emergency access in and out of the proposed parking lot,” Dunn wrote to the Planning and Zoning Department on Wednesday.

“No turning radii are depicted on the main driveway. Access to the building with the drive-thru lane full of vehicles would be impacted,” he continued. “The current intersection of Church Street South and Post Road East is very narrow, and any overflow of the drive-thru possibly backing up onto the Post Road would inhibit emergency vehicles from making the turn on Church Street South.

“This office is not in favor of the proposed layout,” Dunn concluded.

The applicant, Frederick W. Hoag Architect on behalf of the owner, Post Plaza LLC, told the Planning and Zoning Department on Monday the applicant wants to delay the discussion.

“I do not think we want to present at all tomorrow, so I think that inversely means we will hold until 1/9 — We are seeking a supportive stance from the FM & would like to have that on record prior to opening the application at the public hearing,” wrote Christina Gordon of Frederick W. Hoag Architect.

Several neighbors have written to the Planning and Zoning Department about their concerns, which included traffic effects on Church Street South and backups not only on that street, but on Post Road East, as has been seen with the Starbucks drive-through not far away.

The lot had been home to a Mobil gas station for decades. It’s the northwest corner of the Post Plaza shopping center, which was to be anchored by an Amazon Fresh store, but has sat idle over a year.

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.