It's nice to see some fast food alternatives to burgers coming to Waltham, but I worry that we are getting a flood of fast Southwestern/Mexican places. Moe's on Main Street is terrific--fresh food at good value. There is a burrito place opening soon. And then Chipolte? I have no objections, just concerned about too much of the same all at once. All of these new places bring jobs to Waltham. I would prefer that their hiring practices complied with immigration laws.

I believe that the Chipotle's application should be considered in the context of all the restaurants proposed at this site. The special permit does NOT include fast food. It is impossible to know the impact to traffic, parking, etc for only one of the proposed uses at this site.

I think when a company like Chipotle is being investigated for hiring illegal immigrants and wants to build another site in an illegal immigrant sanctuary city, the investigation should become a lot more thorough. People really need to start understanding that having 100+ mexican restaurants in Waltham IS going to change the culture all together...not that it's not completely destroyed already.

Alice H, what is there to explain that wasn't written in plain English on my initial comment? 100+ is a gross hyperbole and a huge exageration, however the fact that Waltham has more than enough mexican restaurants is why I don't feel there is a need for this one. My point, exactly, is that this city is a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants and ANY company no matter who, what, or how big under investigation for illegal hiring practices should NOT be welcomed in any city, especially a sanctuary city like Waltham. (Notice how I said illegal and not just immigrants? That's because I support legal immigration) No, I'm not suggesting that Mexican restaurants will attract people that I don't want in Waltham. YOU said that, Alice H., which is very sad and shows where your head is at. Not everything is about race. I, on the other hand, was suggesting with my entire post that any company being investigated (for any reason) but specifically for illegal hiring practices shouldn't be welcomed in any city, especially a sanctuary city like Waltham, MA. Go ahead and completely misconstrue this message too- don't forget to bring the race card back into it. Alice H., you may need to work on yourself a little bit. Anyone who focuses so much on race rather than criminal activity is pretty racist if you ask me.

I welcome another restaurant choice. Yes, we have a lot already. And they stay in business becuase it is bringing people to Waltham. More importantly, local residents are spending their money in Waltham, which raises revenues that stay here. The economy is getting better and more people are going out a little more often to eat.
If Chipotle violated something in another state, it will be dealt with there. They would be a good addition to our varied restaurant offerings.

For a fast food restaurant, Chipotle tastes amazing. Unlike most fast food restaurants, they make an effort to reduce factory farming (and maybe it's a placebo effect, but the meat tastes great). I really hope the city and Chipoltle come to an agreement; I'm sick of driving to Newton Upper Falls to get my burrito on.