Mr. Chan’s
Permitted to Expand
By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
7/27/11
The Board of Appeals this week granted a special permit for Mr. Chan’s to expand its business in East Milton Square.

The plan, which still requires approval through the Planning Board and Building Department, involves renovating the restaurant at 534 Adams St. and expanding it into the adjacent 965-square-foot storefront that was most recently a salon.

During its hearing on July 19, the board unanimously approved the application of Walter Chan, the restaurant operator, and Tony Palisi, who owns the Adams Street building.

The board also granted a positive determination that parking is adequate for the existing space.

Chan, who opened the restaurant in 1996, said he wants to expand the business in order to offer his patrons a better dining atmosphere. He said the business has traditionally focused on its take-out service and, with the recent opening of the full-service restaurant Abby Park a few doors down, he saw an opportunity to offer a similar business.

“We felt this might be a good chance to change the focus of our business,” said Chan. “This will really allow us to showcase our food.”

Chan said his restaurant currently has 20 seats and will add 48 more with the expansion. He said he has an agreement with Sovereign Bank at 561 Adams St. allowing his customers to park in their lot after banking hours. He said he has a similar agreement with Decorating Den Interiors to share their small lot after business hours.

Board of Appeals Chair John Leonard said Chan has always run a good business and that he has heard no opposition to the expansion plan.

“We do like to encourage businesses. We like to encourage the modernization of restaurants,” he said. “It’s certainly an enhancement to the business climate.”

Board member Brian Hurley said he didn’t see any evidence to suggest that any new parking issues would arise from the additional business.

“I think the evening parking will be OK … [and] I think the evidence supports the fact that the daytime use [of Mr. Chan’s] won’t exacerbate the existing parking.”

Even with the expansion, Chan said he expects that the evening will remain his busiest time and that daytime crowds will likely stay the same.

17 Canton Ave. The board was also scheduled to open a hearing on an application to renovate and expand the former DeWolfe & Co. office building at 17 Canton Ave. However, the applicant was unable to make the hearing.

Robert Sheffield, the attorney representing Sciacca Law Group LLC, submitted a letter to the board stating he had previously scheduled a family vacation for the date and would be unable to appear.

Sciacca Law Firm, which represents nursing homes in partnership with a nursing home management company, recently purchased the property and plans to relocate there once renovations can be made.

The proposal includes adding nearly 2,700 square feet to the building, including an 841-square-foot addition to the rear of the first floor and an 1,855-square-foot addition to the second floor.

The board continued the hearing to Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 525 Canton Ave.