BERLIN – Town officials praised plans for the Royal Farms set to come to Berlin but told developers to rethink the appearance of the Arby’s to be built next door.
Property owner Steve Black approached the town’s planning commission with concept plans for the Royal Farms and Arby’s he is going to build at the intersection of Friendship Road and Route 50 this week. Commission members had no concerns about the look of the gas station — which they called coastal architecture — but said the design of the Arby’s was not appropriate for Berlin.
“It’s so out of place for where we are,” commission member Ron Cascio said. “Arby’s needs to come up with some options. It’s not Eastern Shore architecture.”
The proposed Royal Farms, featuring light colors and a peaked roof, was praised by the commission. The design Black submitted for the Arby’s however, was criticized for its flat roof and bright red overhang.
“It’s very urban looking,” Barb Stack said.
Commission member Pete Cosby said the Arby’s should use the Royal Farms as a model. He pointed out that though Arby’s was a franchise that didn’t mean it couldn’t be adjusted to fit the local architecture.
“If they were in Nantucket, Arby’s would change their tune,” he said.
Black and his associates said that while the floorplan was set, the exterior of the building could be adjusted. Black said the Arby’s architect he was working with was in Georgia and would simply need to know what the town would like to see.
“Think coastal architecture,” Cosby said. “Look at the Royal Farms.”
He said the roof line should be adjusted and the plan shouldn’t include any garish colors. He said the red roof line that was currently proposed was something that would be seen in Baltimore.
“This is Berlin,” he said. “This place is special. We want to keep it that way.”
Cascio agreed, saying, “You’ve just got to put your foot down.”
Black’s land planner, Bob Hand, told the commission he’d work with Arby’s representatives to adjust the plan. He said he hoped to get the changes made in the near future so the project could apply for final site plan approval in August.
Cosby said he looked forward to seeing the project proceed.
“We’ll do everything we can to move you along,” he said. “It’s a good project.”