The Development and Governmental Relationships Committee voted Oct. 6 to recommend approval of a special-permit application allowing Kristen Fontaine to operate a cottage kitchen at 1 Meadow Street, subject to a condition limiting customer pickups to the applicant's driveway.

Committee members said parking had been the primary concern at an earlier public hearing. At this meeting, Councilor Bartley summarized earlier public worries about on-street parking and urged a condition limiting customer parking to the driveway. Councilor Ocasio said restricting pickups to the driveway "would be better" to avoid complaints from neighbors.

Fontaine, the applicant, joined the meeting remotely and told the committee she had submitted photos showing that the property frontage could fit four vehicles. "In front of my house alone, you can fit 4 vehicles," she said. "I'm definitely okay with anyone parking where they need to in order for this to work because... doing some kind of delivery service would just make the bread cost too much." Fontaine also said she plans to keep traffic low and serve one customer at a time.

After discussion the committee approved a motion to recommend the special permit with the driveway-only pickup condition. Committee members voting yes included Councilor Sullivan, Councilor Ocasio, Councilor Anderson Burgos and Councilor Givner; the committee recorded the action as a unanimous recommendation to send the item to the full City Council for a final vote.

The committee chair noted the full council would hear the application the following night and said the applicant may attend by Zoom if she cannot be physically present.

The committee distinguished discussion from the formal action: the committee's vote was a recommendation to the full council, not final permit issuance. The final decision rests with the City Council and any municipal permitting process required after council action.

The record includes the applicant's offer to work within the driveway restriction and the committee's attempt to balance neighborhood integrity with allowing a small home-based business to operate.