Planning Board Approves Drive-Thrus at 170 Main Street

Planning Board · Meeting of August 12, 2026

Stoneham's Planning Board approved a special permit for Chipotle and Seven Brew drive-thrus at the former China Moon site. The board voted 5-0 on the 170 Main Street project, which includes 93 parking spaces, 32,000 square feet of new landscaping and additional tenants Just Salad and Pacific Dental. Vice Chair Kevin Dolan called it the board's first fully commercial proposal in years, saying "tax-based-wise, commercial is something this town solely needs." Seven Brew engineer James Vagel described a 17-car drive-through queue and an order system using iPad-equipped "texters" instead of speaker boxes.

Residents Anthony and Dolly Wilson of 181 Central Street raised dumpster-noise and curb-cut safety concerns, deferred to a future site plan review and MassDOT. In separate business, the board voted 4-1 to release a $50,000 Birch Street Subdivision bond, with Chair Frank Vallarelli dissenting.

In the full story:

• Call to Order and Minutes
• Birch Street Subdivision Bond Release
• Redstone Shopping Center Site Visit (Informational)
• Public Hearing: 170 Main Street Special Permit — Chipotle and Seven Brew Drive-Throughs
• Pine Street ANR Plan (Pizza Mia Lot Line Adjustment)
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,603 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of August 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.