In what chair Rob Benson termed “the fastest Planning Board meeting in history” at about eight minutes, the board on Monday voted 8-0 to continue the two scheduled hearings at the request of the respective applicants. They included the hearing on the proposed UniBank/Starbucks parking lot expansion that would add two spaces if approved.

John Gelcich, the director of Land Use, Planning and Permitting, announced before the meeting that the proponent for the UniBank/Starbucks project requested a continuance until the Sept. 22 meeting.

The commercial parking lot at 85-89 West Main Street is located on an acre at the corner of West Main Street and Lumber Street. The small but popular shopping plaza is occupied by UniBank, Starbucks, Verizon and a nail salon.

The Conservation Commission continued its hearing on the proposed project at its Aug. 4 meeting to Aug. 19, also at the request of the applicant. The commission’s Aug. 19 meeting agenda showed that the applicant has requested a continuance for that hearing until Sept. 23.

The Planning Board had been seeking the commission’s opinion on the revised project. Its first iteration proposed four spaces. The number later was trimmed to three and ultimately to two.

The other hearing was continued until Sept. 8. It was in regard to a request for a special permit for parking in the downtown business district that would impact Claflin Street. The proposal called for parking between the principal building and the street for a four-unit development at 3 Claflin Street, off Walcott Street.

At the Aug. 4 meeting, residents expressed concerns about flooding, the impact of seven new parking spaces on a narrow residential street and snow removal.

Benson said members attended a site walk of the property on Aug. 16.

Said Benson: “At that time, the applicant said they were revising their plans.”

Wronka voted in as ZAC rep

In an 8-0 vote, vice chair Matthew Wronka  was appointed as the Planning Board representative to the Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC). He replaces member Vikasith Pratty, who previously said he was unable to continue his ZAC commitment.

“It’s an important role in our work,” Wronka said of the appointment.