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Owner of former Otters Restaurant seeks flexible commercial uses; board recommends formalizing permits
Summary
The owner of the former Otters Restaurant told the Charlemont Planning Board he is marketing the 6,000‑sq‑ft building for restaurants, event space, and other commercial uses; the board recommended documenting permitted uses through the special‑permit process to avoid uncertainty.
Travis DeCere, who purchased the former Otters Restaurant last October, told the Charlemont Planning Board on April 16 that he has received inquiries about a range of uses for the 6,000‑square‑foot building, including single or multiple restaurant tenants, a wedding or banquet venue with overnight accommodations, retail or office space, and a pool hall with limited food service.
DeCere said the building’s size may make it challenging for a single restaurant tenant to occupy the entire space, prompting interest in mixed commercial uses. He said he wanted to consult the board about current permissible uses before entertaining formal offers.
Board chair Bob Nelson and member Molly Cantor said many of the proposed uses (bars, dancing, restaurant operations, assembly activities) relate to the property’s prior restaurant use and would likely be covered under existing approvals. Nelson advised that if documentation of past special permits cannot be located, it would be prudent to pursue an updated special permit to put current and prospective uses on the record.
Nelson cited an anecdotal precedent about a business with different impacts not being able to rely on a predecessor’s special permit (a case involving odor complaints at a candle maker) to illustrate why the board might prefer a clear, updated authorization. The board agreed that a formal special‑permit record would make future enforcement and review clearer for owners and regulators.
The board also noted that occupancy, Board of Health requirements and building‑inspector review would be part of any approvals for restaurants or assembly uses, and that pursuing a permit would allow those conditions to be documented. DeCere and the board did not settle on a specific next procedural step beyond the recommendation to clarify and, if necessary, formalize permitted uses.
