Traffic Concerns Led To Wings Over Withdrawal, Waltham Councilors Say

Concerns over traffic at the proposed Wings Over site led to the company

The company, however, could resubmit its request for a fast food permit, which would allow it to open a new branch at a different location than the original proposal for 110-112 Lexington St, according to the City Clerk’s office.

Councilor , the lead person for the Wings Over issue on the Ordinance and Rules Committee, said the proposed site was not suitable because of the traffic congestion it could have caused.

“It just doesn’t work,” he told Patch, days after the Monday, Dec. 5 Ordinance and Rules Committee sent the issue to the Law Department for denial.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Savin Foods withdrew its request for a permit to open, which the City Council will vote on at its Monday, Dec. 12 meeting.

Logan said the site has inadequate parking for the 16 employees that would be working at any given time, some of them delivery drivers on runs to deliver wings to customers. The constant stream of traffic, he said, would cause backups on Lexington Street, which is already heavily travelled.

, however, support for the eatery.

Saying she was representing the views of her constituents, City Councilor echoed Logan’s concerns about traffic and suggested the company submit a new request for a location at the site of the former Hollywood Video store or Blockbuster Video, both located on Lexington Street. Logan, without specifying a possible location, encouraged Wings Over to try again in Waltham.

“I think there certainly are … locations that would be better suited,” Logan said.

Both Collura and Logan shot back against anybody who might accuse the council of being anti-business. Collura, who owns the Tea Leaf on Moody Street, said she greatly supports small businesses opening in Waltham.

“I’m very pro-business,” she told Patch. “I feel for [small business owners], I understand their viewpoint. I truly, truly do.”

Collura, however, said she had to represent the views of her constituents.

In response to any anti-business sentiment, Logan said zoning ordinances could be eliminated and residents would lodge more complaints of restaurant related issues in their neighborhood.