Council approves outdoor pavilion at Stonegate Shopping Center near Brown Trail

The Bedford City Council unanimously approved a specific use permit to allow an outdoor seating pavilion and food kiosks at 1313 Brown Trail (Lot 2, Stonegate Shopping Center) during its Sept. 9 meeting.

Development Director Wes Morrison told the council the applicant proposes a little over 7,000 square feet for an outdoor pavilion with up to four food kiosks; the project does not reduce parking and complies with the city’s zoning ordinance requirement for an SUP for outdoor seating. Morrison also said the future land use map designates the area as a village center, a designation the application advances.

Planning and Zoning recommended approval by a 7–0 vote, staff mailed notices to 19 nearby property owners and the city received no written opposition or public testimony against the request. Mark Cohen of Centerpointe Commercial Properties, the applicant, spoke in favor of the redevelopment and described the owner’s intent to retenant and revitalize the center; he said the site’s current owners purchased the center to support Turning Point Brewery and new tenants, including an indoor pickleball facility already under development.

Council member Gagliardi moved to approve the ordinance; Council member Fargo seconded the motion. The council opened and closed the required public hearing with no speakers other than the applicant in favor, and the motion passed unanimously.

Morrison said staff had discussed future landscaping and water access with the property owner; the lot currently lacks direct water access, and any improvements tied to Brown Trail reconstruction could change that. The council and applicant noted that the pavilion aligns with goals in the city’s comprehensive plan for village center development.

Implementation will proceed through the city’s standard site plan and permitting process, and staff said no parking changes are required by the SUP.