By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – City Councilors accepted an updated landscaping plan for the grounds of a proposed Taco Bell on Boston Post Road East and moved to approve the special permit filed by Charter Foods North to proceed with their plans to occupy the building in the Staples plaza, adjacent to Fanz Sports Grill.
In presenting the unanimous vote of the Urban Affairs Committee to the full council at the Oct. 5 council meeting Chair Joseph Delano reconfirmed that concerns over the potential noise and appearance of the grounds had been addressed.
“Our committee is assured that the entrance way to the city will look nice,” he said, emphasizing that the developer will add trees, shrubs, and more flowers to the area, as stated in the updated landscaping plan presented by representatives of RK Centers, who operate the plaza, and a representative of Charter Foods.
The approved permit for a drive-through at the location of a former Wendy’s restaurant includes hours of operation of 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. During a public hearing held earlier this year residents in the area expressed concern over the potential noise coming from the speakers. Charter Foods representatives said speaker volume will be kept low during late night hours to avoid disturbance to neighbors.