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Storm Along cidery seeks special permit at 725 Main Street; board okays site-plan waiver and continues review
Summary
Storm Along cidery applied to convert the front of the former Ann & Hope building at 725 Main Street into a production space and tasting room. The Planning Board approved a site-plan waiver and continued the public hearing to April 8 while raising signage and loading/parking questions.
The Planning Board reviewed an application March 4 from Storm Along Cidery to establish production and a tasting room at 725 Main Street (the former Ann & Hope building). Dan Merricken of Legacy Engineering presented the application on behalf of applicant Shannon Edgar and described a plan to build out approximately 16,000 square feet for production, a 3,400-square-foot tasting area (about 20% of production area), and an 880-square-foot retail area for on-site sales.
The site contains more than 290 existing parking spaces overall; the proposed use requires about 64 spaces under the zoning table, and the applicant noted 66 parking spaces are immediately adjacent to the proposed area. The applicant estimated the production facility would require five to seven employees and that tanker deliveries of fresh-pressed juice would be occasional (one to two per week at most). The applicant said the loading/fill location would be on the side of the building, away from the front parking area.
Board members approved a waiver of site-plan review for this limited interior/exterior façade project, finding no substantive exterior site changes that would require full site-plan review. The board voted in favor of the waiver by voice vote.
Substantive comments from the board and attendees focused on signage and mural art on the front façade, truck routing and ensuring the moving company and other tenants have space to maneuver at the loading bays, and whether painted artwork that includes the business name would be considered a sign under the town bylaw. The board asked the applicant to clarify the size of the existing freestanding sign and to consult with town staff about whether proposed façade artwork would qualify as a sign that requires permitting. The applicant said they intend to keep a large overhead door to allow equipment/tanks to move in and out and to add façade improvements and a mural as a separate, later application if necessary.
The board continued the public hearing to April 8 at 7:45 p.m. and asked the applicant to consult with the moving company tenant about access needs and to be prepared to propose any sign permit changes as part of a subsequent submission.
