The Derry Planning Board is serving the town well in its effort to encourage development on portions of Route 28 without violating the historic character of the Robert Frost farm.
The planners have not been in a rush — they have held several workshops to hear the views of those interested in establishing businesses along the stretch of road heading toward Salem, and also the views of those concerned about the impact development might have on the former homestead of one of America's most famous poets. The farm is listed as a historic site.
Overall, the draft of a new zoning district, called General Commercial III, maintains that balance. In general, it requires architecture to complement the Frost site, and also imposes specific design regulations. It prohibits any new buildings from being taller than the Frost buildings.
More specifically, it excludes any sexually oriented businesses, manufactured housing, car sales, wireless communication facilities and gas stations.
It is worth reconsidering some of the inconsistent restrictions. The district allows both restaurants and pharmacies, but forbids restaurants from having a drive-through service window while pharmacies are allowed one.
But overall, this is a thoughtful, careful response to the competing needs and desires of the town. Route 28 could use some development, but town officials should not let that need destroy its history. Once that is gone, it can never be recovered.
And it is not yet a done deal. There is still time for public input. Residents who want to be heard on the proposed district will get that chance at a public hearing tentatively set for August.
If done right, it will be a credit to the planners, and proof that the past and the future can coexist quite nicely.
What will fill the Taco Bell void?
It was the death knell for Taco Bell, at least in Derry.
After 20 years, the fast-food chain closed its location on Crystal Avenue last week and the site is up for sale. And that prompted a number of readers to, uh, weigh in, on our Facebook page to suggest what should take its place.
In that clearly unscientific survey, the views were mixed. Some were pulling for — what else? — more fast food. The list was impressive but remarkably free of any replacement tacos or pizzas. It was also free of those, you know, really big and famous burger chains. The fast-food voters were lobbying for chains like Five Guys Burgers, In-N-Out Burger, Ell Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, Big-N-Beefy and Chick-fil-a.
Then there were the fast, but not too fast proposals like Panera Bread or Au Bon Pain.
And then there were a few who longed for health over speed. A sit-down seafood restaurant — if we can still afford seafood when we can't get much from the Gulf of Mexico. A Trader Joe's.
The replacement will not be done by vote, of course. Whoever shows up will have deep pockets and the belief that they can make a profit.
But if you can't get rid of your craving for Taco Bell, do not despair. Another one is just down the road in Londonderry.
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