By JOSEPH EDGERTON
jedgerton@yourneighborhoodnews.com

Although occupants of a proposed shopping center and restaurant on South River Road have yet to be chosen, discussions on how it will affect residents and commuters is underway.

Robert Cruess, an engineer with TF Moran, met with the planning board on Monday, Sept. 11, for a conceptual site plan to construct a 30,000-square-foot retail building, a 3,480-square-foot fast-food restaurant and a 12,400-square-foot retail with a drive-through coffee shop.

“There may be fast food, or a coffee shop, and it will be a reasonable retail use,” he said. “We don’t have the proper people lined up yet.”

Cruess said the entrance to the facility, which is proposed for 213 South River Road, will be lined up with the entrance to Target and Lowe’s.

Both Cruess and planning board Chairman Paul Drahnak said the effects the development will have on traffic must be considered.

“I think this all hinges on a traffic study,” Drahnak said. “I haven’t seen anything so far that would keep me up at night, but that’s subject to a good traffic study. This seems to work out well.”

The engineers will begin work on a study of traffic impacts, especially given the proposed construction timeline.

Cruess has done a site walk with members of the conservation commission, but there has been no official vote from the commission. The engineers will bring a plan to the conservation commission at the end of the month.

The planning board scheduled a site walk of the property for Mon. Sept. 18, at 5 p.m., and the walk is open to the public.