Wayland EDC sends pickup-window zoning to Planning Board on 5-0 vote

WAYLAND -- December 16, 2024, Wayland EDC approves draft pickup-window zoning for Route 20, 5-0. The Economic Development Committee, chaired by Rebecca M. Stanizzi, sent Town Planner Robert Hummel a finalized draft creating an overlay district that would allow pre-order pickup windows for fast-casual restaurants and coffee shops with at least 600 square feet of dining space, while explicitly barring fast-food restaurants. The vote followed a presentation of survey results drawing more than 1,500 resident responses, 92 percent favored fast-casual in some form, but fast food fell short of the two-thirds Town Meeting threshold at roughly 53 percent support. Members also learned the state may cover up to 75 percent of design costs for Route 20 sidewalks and curb cuts, against the town's roughly $250,000 share in DPW Director Tom Holder's budget. A separate $100,000 in the state economic development bond bill will continue the Route 20 master plan. Members described residents' open-ended comments as bordering on "desperation" over empty storefronts. The Planning Board takes up the draft Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.