Urban Affairs panel approves Meineke sign changes, defers Chick-fil-A canopy decision

MARLBOROUGH -- June 17, 2021, Marlborough Urban Affairs subcommittee approves Meineke signage modification, holds Chick-fil-A canopy. The panel voted 5-0 Thursday to recommend a draft modification of the special permit at 408 Maple Street, letting Mina Property Group LLC reface an existing Route 85 monument sign for incoming tenant Meineke Car Care Center, swap the front "AutoMax Service Center" panel for a 54-by-130-inch Meineke panel, and add a smaller 39.25-by-96.5-inch sign on the north elevation, with no backlighting beyond the existing oval halo. The Chair flagged multiple corrections, wrong filing dates, a "Walker" boundary that should read River Street, and brand-specific "fonts" language Councilor Doucette asked be struck, and sent the draft to the city solicitor, likely pushing final action to the July 19 council meeting. A separate Chick-fil-A request to install drive-through canopies with LED lighting, propane heaters and a nine-foot vehicle clearance bar at 36 Apex Drive was held after Councilor Wagner challenged the greenhouse-gas implications and Councilor Doucette said, "I don't think there's enough information for me to vote." Building Commissioner Tin Tway will be asked to attend the follow-up meeting.