New supermarket in the cards for North East?

NORTH EAST — For years rumors have circulated with no merit, but now the possibility of a new supermarket coming to town is actually quite real. On Monday, Nov. 22, Southern Reality, LLC, appeared before the Planning Board, along with local architect Ray Nelson, to discuss plans to build a 35,000- to 40,000- square-foot supermarket. The store is proposed to be built just outside of the village, behind the Thompson Plaza and Basil’s Auto Shop off Route 44, near the Connecticut border.

“I think that the conversation was very healthy and it’s a preliminary process at this point,� Planning Board Chairman Henry Klimowicz said. “They seemed interested in being sensitive to our community and committed to their project.�

This was the first time the applicants appeared before the town; they remained mum on exactly which supermarket they represented.

“The way they presented it the tenant remained nameless at that moment, but there’s been a lot of speculation,� said Planning Board member Dale Culver, adding the scoping session went smoothly. “They asked questions based on their proposals, which is not a completed application because it’s just in the preliminary stages, but they asked what they might need to provide or accomplish to reach the point where we might grant approval. It was nicely done by them and well thought out.�

Nelson presented four architectural renderings, showing different ways the building could be configured, the driveway and other components essential to the proposed project. Culver said many details must be taken care of down the road, including storm water management, traffic studies and other town code requirements, in order for approval to be granted.

“If they follow the guidance given and they move forward in a proactive manner, I see a high likelihood in the project reaching completion,� he said. “Personally, in my experience on the Planning Board, I did not see any insurmountable obstacles. It doesn’t mean I’m voting to approve the project, it just means in how it would be handled, I don’t see insurmountable obstacles.�

One of the biggest concerns  raised had to do with the existing Grand Union that is located just down the road from the proposed project site. According to Culver, the applicants said there was some discussion that Grand Union is in a long-term lease and wants to stay put.

“We asked if this will result in an empty plaza,� Culver said, adding the applicants apparently approached Grand Union to see if it was interested in selling. “I don’t know how detailed they were, but it appears that the intent of the Grand Union’s current tenants is to remain in occupancy. Again, all things are subject to change.�

“One of the big issues will be for the Planning Board to get a sense of scale,� Klimowicz said, adding that the applicants spoke about changing boundaries with the Thompson property and buying land from Basil’s to accommodate the development of the 10-acre lot. “That’s going to be complicated. There may be three site plans and there could be five lot line adjustments; it’s not impossible, but it’s tough.�

The Planning Board is also keeping an eye on the town’s infrastructure, including the need for sidewalks.

“It would be nice to see people walk to the supermarket,� Klimowicz said. “We’ll have to see how that all plays out.�

Additionally, staying true to the character of the village’s architecture is high on the board’s list. The chairman listed buildings like Elizabeth’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Salisbury Bank and Trust and the Main Street buildings renovated by Leo Flood that were recently bought by the owners of Little Gates Wine Merchants as good examples of the aesthetics the board wants developers to strive for.

“Buildings should be more than just a big box. A boiler plate grocery store won’t be what we ask for from the applicants,� Klimowicz said, adding that it’s important for the town’s buildings to be integrated. “We don’t want it like a strip, with Route 44 separate from our downtown. We’re still a walkable place and I see us as a whole.

“My goal for this project is that it moves through smoothly. I’m not looking to postpone or delay this process; the applicant and community has a right to that,� he added. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore the things that have to be looked at by this board.�