Planning board approves reactivation of upstairs bar at Forb Seafood, requires granite corner bounds

The Town of Wells Planning Board unanimously found the amended site plan for Lafayette Social Front Resort compliant and signaled tentative approval for reactivating the upstairs bar at Forb Seafood Restaurant.

Applicant Katie Kelly, who identified herself as manager of Lafayette Social Front Resort, said the plan is to "reactivate the upstairs of Forb Seafood Restaurant" and to move the existing upstairs bar toward the center of that space for seasonal use, with a possibility of year‑round operation later. Planning staff told the board the proposal increases seating from 100 to 180 seats and is processed as an amendment to an existing site plan.

The planning office recommended approval after the applicant addressed outstanding completeness items; the board voted to accept the findings and to sign plans once a small set of revisions is made. The board also required monumentation changes to avoid future boundary confusion: members agreed, by unanimous motion, to require granite bounds at the two front property corners and an iron rod at the rear corner, and directed the applicant to submit a revised plan showing those monuments.

Staff and board members clarified several remaining procedural items: two administrative waivers were granted (a soil‑survey waiver and a waiver of an IF&W letter), and final approval will be contingent on the revised plan that shows the required monuments. The board indicated it will sign the plans at the end of the meeting once the edits are on the drawing set.

What happens next: the applicant will revise and refile plan sheets to show the granite bounds and updated notes, after which the planning office will complete final paperwork and the board will sign the updated plans.