Barnstable zoning board denies special permit for proposed Wendy's. Here's what to know.

Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times
·2 min read

Plans for a proposed Wendy's restaurant hit a hurdle last week when the Barnstable Zoning Board of Appeals did not approve a special permit for a drive-through.

Property owner Arista Hyannis, LLC wants to remodel an old Santander Bank building at 715 West Main St. in Hyannis within the existing footprint into a restaurant.

The primary request before the board was whether the remodel could include a drive-through, according to an attorney for the property owner.

On Jan. 24 the board unanimously denied the permit.

For Zoning Board member Emanuel Alves, it was difficult to overlook the site's location at the intersection of Pine and West Main streets across from Barnstable High School and public concerns about traffic and safety.

"The major distinguishing factor of this property is the fact that it sits across from a major school ... I can't get over that," said Alves.

Property owner Arista Hyannis, LLC wants to convert an old Santander Bank building at 715 West Main St. in Hyannis into a Wendy's restaurant. On Jan. 24, the Barnstable Zoning Board of Appeals denied a special permit for the plan. The permit was being sought only for a drive-through, according to the property owner's attorney.
Property owner Arista Hyannis, LLC wants to convert an old Santander Bank building at 715 West Main St. in Hyannis into a Wendy's restaurant. On Jan. 24, the Barnstable Zoning Board of Appeals denied a special permit for the plan. The permit was being sought only for a drive-through, according to the property owner's attorney.

Traffic operations with and without a drive-through window

In a presentation to the board, Randy Hart, with engineering firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., pointed to key findings from Environmental Partners that said there is "no substantial difference in traffic operations between the Wendy's with a drive-through window or without a drive-through window."

"Based on the projections, there really isn't a substantial difference between the two," said Hart.

Environmental Partners was hired by the town to review all aspects of traffic work.

It was not enough to alleviate concerns from the board, town officials, and the public. When reading a staff report about unfavorable findings, board member Mark Hansen said the change would be unsuitable for the area because of "the introduction of an auto-dominated fast food use into an existing high-volume roadway network."

What is the history of the property?

Arista Hyannis, LLC bought the property in July 2022 from Santander Bank for $1.3 million, according to a deed with the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds.

The parcel is in the highway business district. Attorney Eliza Cox of Nutter McClennen & Fish representing Arista Hyannis said the project was only before the zoning board to try to secure approval for the drive-through.

Drive-throughs are allowed in the highway business district as a conditional use by special permit, said Cox, while the use of the site as a Wendy's restaurant is allowed as a right and needs no zoning relief.

Cox did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The current building already has a drive-through.

Fashion Food, LLC is planned to be the franchisee and operator of the proposed Wendy's.

Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on X @zanerazz.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Drive-through plan for new restaurant on West Main in Hyannis denied