By Scott MacKeen
Times Staff
9/18/08

(previous)
After a lengthy public hearing at the meeting, Peter Jackson motioned, and the board approved, “the essence of the site plan” subject to final approval of a written document citing a series of terms and conditions.
There are still some concerns about parking and garbage disposal at the location.
Ed Duffy was the lone vote against the plan, calling the parking plan “woefully inadequate.”
“I still think we need professional oversight here,” said Duffy. “We don’t have a real parking study, and haven’t considered pedestrian movement (around the square), which I think is crucial to this project.”
Other board members cited similar concerns about parking, especially during lunch hours when businesses in the square are open.
According to a decision by the Appeals Board, the restaurant must provide at least 15 parking spaces during lunch hours and at least 40 spaces in the evening.
Welch said the 15 spaces during lunch will be available at Dolan Funeral Home on Granite Avenue. Board Member Alex Whiteside questioned this, saying he wants to see better evidence that the spaces will be available.
Jackson agreed.
“The point is that anecdotal evidence is probably not going to make it here,” he said. “You have to demonstrate to us you have secured these 15 spaces.”
Sheffield said he doesn’t anticipate a problem with the lot, as most of Dolan’s funeral business is conducting before noon. However, Whiteside said some residents continue to park there because there is a dentist’s office nearby.
“It’s hard to know what information you have here is really solid,” he said.
For evening parking, Welch said he has secured eight spaces at Citizens Bank on Adams Street and 32 spaces at the Falconi building on neighboring Franklin Street. He said the bank has agreed “in principle” to provide 10 additional spaces if necessary.
Sheffield said he expects the restaurant to close at around 10 p.m. on weekdays, and a little later on weekends, and that the spaces will be available until around midnight. He agreed with the board that restaurant parking signs should be part of the plan.
Planning Board Chair Emily Keys Innes said the restaurant should work to advertise the parking to avoid residential disturbance, but that some issues may be unavoidable.
“I think it’s impossible for the restaurant to police where people park,” she said. “But it’s important that we have these requirements in place.”
Whiteside expressed concern about Welch’s plan for garbage disposal.
Welch said three dumpsters will service the restaurant from a back alley currently being used by Mr. Chan’s, the Chinese food restaurant. Trash pick-up would occur three times per week or more, based on the board of health recommendations.
Whiteside said he recently examined the alley and found dumpsters with holes and overflowed trash.
“I’m extremely unimpressed with the condition of that alley,” he said.
Adams Street resident Robert Sullivan agreed, saying garbage conditions in the square are “already deplorable.”
Sheffield said the trash disposal is a “municipal responsibility” but that the restaurant will do its best to remain clean.
“I think it’s a fair request for us
to police our own sidewalks,” said Welch.
Whiteside will submit a draft for board for final review and approval, which should come within a week.