Sonic Looking to Come to Medford
Popular Drive-in Chain Considers Former Kiss 108 Site
– Allison Goldsberry
Sonic, a popular drive-in restaurant chain known for its retro food, is checking out Medford for its newest Massachusetts location.
The company is considering the former location of Kiss 108 on Route 16. It has petitioned the Medford Zoning Board of Appeals to demolish the existing structure at 99 Revere Beach Parkway to make way for a 2,003 square foot building. The location would be used both as a drive-in and restaurant.
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) met to discuss Sonic’s request earlier in the month. According to Board Chairman Tony Arena, the March 1 meeting was a “preliminary/concept” hearing. Another public hearing is is needed that will include city officials such as the police and fire chief, DPW director, and other representatives from other departments such as engineering, environment, building, and community development. Sonic will submit its final plans, including a traffic study, and the Board of Appeals will render its decision after the hearing.
The public hearing was scheduled for March 22, but has been postponed since Sonic has not yet completed the required traffic study. A new date should be set soon.
According to Arena, Pyramid Communications, on behalf of Sonic, has applied for a variance for the location of a Sonic restaurant at 99 Revere Beach Parkway. If the variance is granted, Pyramid will then proceed to apply for Site Plan Review with the Office of Community Development. A hearing on that application will be conducted by the ZBA at a later date. If both the variance and Site Plan Review are approved by the ZBA, Pyramid will then go before the City Council for a drive through permit.
City ordinance requires a Site Plan Review for a drive-in restaurant, said Arena. If the Board of Appeals approves Sonic’s plan, the restaurant will have to go before the City Council for a permit to include a drive-through window.
According to Arena, Sonic said it would consider creating a boat ramp and bike path along the Malden River as part of its development.
Sonic is currently in Peabody on Route 1 and on Main Street in Wilmington.