The proposal for a Burger King restaurant on the Route 1 site of Art Johnson‘s familiar clam and hot dog stand has been revived four months after its initial defeat by the zoning appeals board.

A revised proposal will be submitted to the planning board for review Monday evening, planning board Chairman Thomas A. Riolo confirmed. If the board is convinced the revised plan contains modifications meriting a second look, it may waive the normal two-year waiting period binding on a plan which has been rejected by the zoning board, Thomas A. Riolo said. However, there must be solid reasons to justify reconsideration if his board is to clear the way for the proposal to return to the zoning board once again.
Jan Co. Inc., a Johnston, R.I.-based Burger King franchise holder, had previously proposed a 104-seat fully enclosed restaurant at Route 1 and Everett Street, which would require the complete demolition of Art Johnson‘s established seasonal food stand. The zoning appeals board previously voted 2-1 to deny a special permit for the restaurant on the lot, which is zoned for manufacturing. The zoning appeals board had cited concerns that a restaurant at that location could mean more noise and dust because of an expanded parking lot, more loitering in the area, and increased traffic and congestion at the busy intersection of Everett Street and Route 1.
The planning board had previously recommended neither in favor nor in opposition to the Burger King plan, but had stressed the absolute need for an adequate parking plan because of the busy corner. After the initial rejection, Jan Co. President Nicholas W. Janikies said the company chose not to appeal the decision in court, though he was vague at the time about whether it had completely given up on the Route 1 site. But, he remarked, We don’t know how we’re going to be anything but an improvement on that corner, noting that the company had spent considerable sums on engineering drainage plans for the property. Meanwhile, the familiar clam and hot dog stand, owned by Art Johnson‘s widow, continued doing its seasonal business under a lease, awaiting the outcome of the revived commercial development debate.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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New Regional Title Reflects Chamber’s Growth; Shane Updates Dynamic Industrial Park Progress-June 7, 1978
Officially, the Norwood Chamber of Commerce now will be known as the Norwood Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President William C. Phipps made reference to the new name in remarks during the meeting last night at Airport. The change in title attests to the chamber’s diverse growth in membership, chamber Executive Secretary Robert H. Cook told…

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Talk of the Town-June 6, 1978
The Norwood Planning Board moves to claim an $18,000 construction loan from builder Richard Saccone for unfinished roads at Grandview Estates, while also endorsing a major zoning shift at the old Norwood Arena site on Route 1.

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Charles Strumski Retains Norwood Conservation Seat-August 17, 1977
Despite being denied reappointment by the town manager, veteran official Charles Strumski continues to serve the Norwood Conservation Commission.

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Norwood Conservation Commission Approves Park Place Industrial Site-August 17, 1977
Developer James H. Shane and the Norwood Conservation Commission have agreed on a 56,000 cubic yard flood mitigation plan for Park Place on Route 1.

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Conservation Commission Reaches Flood Control Agreement with Park Place Developer-August 17, 1977
Reaching a compromise under the Wetlands Protection Act, Norwood’s conservation commission approved flood control plans for the Park Place industrial park on Route 1.

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Norwood Emergency Team Services (NETS) Formed to Assist Police with Traffic Control and Patrols-August 8, 1977
Led by Patrolman Paul A. Bishop, the volunteer Norwood Emergency Team Services (NETS) organization utilizes CB radios to assist local police with traffic control during major accidents, fires, and weekend patrols.

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Norwood Mall Location Back On Market-This Day In Norwood History-July 21, 1977
The 25-acre property at Route 1 and Union Street in Norwood is back on the market after the Lanning Corp. allowed its development option to lapse. The site, once intended for an innovative specialty mall, is now open for new commercial or industrial proposals.

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Roll Land Hangs On-This Day in Norwood History-September 1, 1976
Except for its own sign out front, the Roll-Land roller skating rink along the commercial jungle known as Route 1 looks much as it did years ago when it opened. Original part-owner John Santoro still takes tickets at the door; a huge organ console pumps out old standards; colored Lights illuminate the well-traveled boards and…

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James H. Shane Wins Public Auction Bid to Purchase Historic Norwood Arena Property-August 11, 1976
Following a mortgage default by Norwood Arena, Inc., developer James H. Shane purchased the 72.5-acre Route 1 landmark for $395,751 at a public auction initiated by Baybank Norfolk County Trust Company.

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