Commission approves site and massing for conversion of former restaurant to housing; special-use review pending

The commission voted to approve site and massing for an application filed by Thomas Martucci on behalf of the State of Lewis Gaffett (identified in the record as the property owner) to convert a downtown restaurant/bar building into residential units and to add third-floor dormer space.

The applicant described the plan as creating four apartments in the attic area with four bedrooms and two baths; the attic is currently unfinished and must reach required headroom. The applicant said the project would remodel interior finished floors while leaving most exterior First and Second Floor windows unchanged, with two exceptions on the Second Floor that "subject to the state fire marshal's review may need to be enlarged" to meet egress requirements. The building is sprinklered, he added, which may affect egress needs.

The conversion also triggered a zoning special-use permit application; the applicant said that application was on the zoning agenda for Feb. 26. Commissioners discussed massing and character, describing the proposed Nantucket-style dormers as compatible with the historic district when set back from the front and rear roof edges.

During public comment neighbors raised enforcement and site-maintenance concerns: missing swales and parking and uncovered dumpsters behind the building were flagged as outstanding compliance issues from prior approvals. The chair asked staff to take those concerns into account and the applicant agreed to follow up.

On the record the commission moved and seconded a motion to approve site and massing for the Third-Floor transformation from a restaurant/bar to residential use; a roll-call tally was not provided in the transcript excerpt but the motion was taken as approved with conditions that final materials and trim details be returned to the commission.