Keene planners clear way for new fast-food restaurant at former Rite Aid site

The company would not confirm the address, though the former Rite Aid site has been widely discussed as the likely spot

The Keene Planning Board on Monday approved a site plan that could bring a new fast-food restaurant to 348 Winchester St., the former Rite Aid property that has drawn speculation online as a possible Chick-fil-a location.

Riverside Improvements LLC, which owns the plaza and filed the application, returned to the board after a postponement at the September meeting. The delay gave the company time to respond to questions from board members and staff about lighting, stormwater drainage, landscaping and traffic.

The proposal calls for tearing down the existing 10,000-square-foot building and replacing it with a 4,500-square-foot restaurant. Plans also show two drive-thru lanes with covered work areas for employees and operating hours generally from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

At Monday’s meeting, Joey Fonseca, a project manager with Bohler, said the application had been revised to cut lighting beneath the canopies, add landscaping to help screen a bioretention pond and improve stormwater management on the site.

The updated materials also say the drive-thru could hold as many as 48 vehicles before traffic would be affected at the Winchester Street and Key Road roundabout.

Separately, Chick-fil-a said that it is actively pursuing a location in Keene. The company would not confirm the address, though the former Rite Aid site has been widely discussed as the likely spot. Chick-fil-a also said each of its restaurants is locally owned and operated. The nearest Chick-fil-a is in Nashua.