By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Plans are brewing for an Aroma Joe’s Drive-Through at the Lakes Shopping Plaza in Naples.

The Naples Planning Board

On Tuesday, the Naples Planning Board accepted the preliminary plans of the proposed Aroma Joe’s, and asked the applicant to come back to address the screening to keep headlights from shining into neighbor’s homes, signage for traffic direction, as well as the results of the state’s traffic movement permit.

Next, the owner of the property will be meeting with the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) on Friday to discuss a traffic movement permit for the vehicles that will be entering and existing the plaza from Route 302. 

The Lakes Shopping Plaza currently houses Annette’s Country Skillet Diner and Jewlz Beyond Hair. The plaza is set back from Route 302, also known as Roosevelt Trail. The plaza entrance is located near the Aubuchon Hardware Store and across the street from Naples Family Practice. 

Inside the plaza, the proposed Aroma Joe’s would be situated at the far left end of the building. There would be an area for customers to drive around that side of the building to get drive-through service. 

Also, people can park and come inside to order. There will be very limited seating — a couple comfort seats and small tables in-between to set a cup of coffee.  

Kevin Gagnon, the property owner, said there is a need in Naples for another to-go coffee business.

“Absolutely. Everyone loves coffee,” he said. “It won’t be as popular as Dunkin’ Donuts.”

Addressing the concern that some people might be worried that it would cause a lot more traffic congestion. He said that at the most about eight to ten vehicles get in line for a drink order. If there are more than ten, most customers move on or come back later. 

 “This isn’t Portland,” Gagnon said. 

The biggest concern for the planning board members is how the traffic will move around the plaza and the courtesy to the neighbors who might see headlights as vehicles drive around the building. 

Jim Seymour, a civil engineer with Sebago Technics, presented the plans on the behalf of Gagnon. 

He addressed traffic based on information gathered from Aroma Joe’s corporation. He proposed screening between the plaza and the direction of residential neighbors. 

“We had anticipated a queue of eight to ten  vehicles as we discussed with Aroma Joe’s that is optimum max,” Seymour said. 

“We can put fencing up to protect the neighbors from the lighting,” he said. “We will add some fencing along the board. Any headlights in the early morning hours would not be shining into the neighbors. Obviously, the morning hours in the winter will be of the most concern because it is still dark out then.”

Board members brought up an escape lane, an additional lane so that people could get out of line or get around the line of vehicles. 

Board member Larry Anton asked about the septic system usage, with less than half of the building being leased. 

Seymour said, “I’d guess between 450 to 500 gallons a day.”