BETHEL — Despite approval in January by Maine Department of Transportation, on April 9 the Bethel Planning Board did not approve the Aroma Joe’s coffee shop planned for Mayville Road.

On Jan. 28, Department of Transportation officials had approved the project, saying a proposed business should not be faulted for existing traffic issues. They agreed that the nearby intersection met the required high crash standards to install a traffic light, but said it was not on DOT’s installation list until 2028 or later.

On April 9 at a Planning Board meeting in Bethel Town Office, the Board voiced disaproval of the plan. “Vehicular access” and “Traffic” were not met under the Planning Board’s Findings of Fact and Decision guidelines. “The project is not approved due to the finding of facts not being met.” said Planning Board Member Travis Wojcik.

There was some confusion by the Board when it came time to vote, but in the end they Board voted unanimously to deny the businesses application.

“I want to thank all of you. I do understand this is difficult. This has been a year of our lives, $750,000 dollars of our lives,” said franchise co-owner Mike Pelletier at the April 9 meeting.

On April 23 the Planning Board voted to take another look. They will hold a special planning board meeting on April 30 to reconsider the site plan denial.