A proposal for an oil change business at this property at Five Points has gained preliminary approval. The building would be demolished and a two-bay Take 5 Oil Change franchise would be constructed. The Biddeford Planning Board may take a final site plan vote on April 19. Tammy Wells Photo
BIDDEFORD — The property that has been the site of a long vacant convenience store at the Five Points intersection in Biddeford could soon become the home of a quick oil change business.
The applicant C.N. Brown, which owns the property, doing business as Take 5 Maine, won preliminary site approval from the planning board for a two-bay operation at 394 Elm St.
Ashton Fritz of Indiana-based Fritz Engineering told the board that the company intends to demolish the current structure and remove most of the parking lot and build a 1,000 square foot Take 5 Oil Change business. Take 5 Oil Change is a national franchise, also headquartered in Indiana.
Under the proposal, customers would not leave their cars while the oil change is being done. The procedure takes about 5-10 minutes, Fritz said. Once the transaction is complete, the customer drives away.
There is no waiting room. Fritz said the only work done includes oil changes and replacement of air filters, wiper blades and the like, and no vehicles would be stored onsite.
Biddeford City Planner David Galbraith noted the proposal had been before the Planning Board in January but was tabled amid concern by staff about the four existing curb cuts and worries about vehicle “stacking” or waiting in line for an oil change. He told the planning board March 15 that both concerns had been resolved.
The applicant sought and received a waiver that allows a reduction of the 10 code-required parking spaces to five. Galbraith pointed out there would be no customers parking on the property and five spaces would serve employees working there.
Planning board member Michael Cantara said a plan for snow removal would be helpful before final approval, which could take place in April.
During a public hearing, resident Richard Rhames pointed out that the country is “theoretically” dealing with climate change.
“What I see doesn’t jive with the idea we are serious about making any changes in the way we live,” he said, in part.
There was no other public comment.
Municipal documents show planning staff is supportive of the plan, and Galbraith noted the 15,000 square foot triangular property has limited developable space.
Both preliminary approval and the waiver to allow five parking spaces instead of 10 were approved with unanimous votes.
The applicant is looking to be on the April 19 agenda for final approval.
City records show the property is valued at $663,000, and that the current structure dates to 1986.
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