The Tiverton Planning Board voted unanimously last Tuesday against a plan to build a Seasons Corner Market at the corner of Souza and Main roads. Colbea Enterprises LLC LLC, based out of Cranston, applied to build the 24-hour convenience store, gas station and drive-through coffee shop months ago, but has faced much backlash from the town and its residents since that time.

“I think you’ve heard that there’s incredible kickback to this,” planning board member Peter Bramante said at the meeting. “I would always like to work with someone who would make an investment in the community and see the value, but that does not seem to be the intent. This is not something that I can support at this point at all.”

Board members reviewed the findings from a recent traffic study that was ordered by the town and paid for by Colbea Enterprises LLC. An earlier study commissioned by Colbea was found unsatisfactory and unreliable due to its conduction in March 2021, when seasonal summer traffic was not taken into consideration. Residents in opposition worried about the impact the development would have on traffic congestion, pedestrian accessibility, noise levels, property values, crime rates, and other areas.

Though the vote to deny was unanimous, board member Chris Shriver abstained.

— Jen Campisi