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Board approves special permit for Taiwanese tea house at 1 Brattle Square
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a special permit for a Taiwanese tea house (18 seats) at 1 Brattle Square after the Harvard Square advisory committee forwarded a positive recommendation; the approval incorporates submitted drawings and advisory suggestions by reference.
Attorney James Rafferty told the board he represented Tita San Chen Tea House, which proposes an authentic Taiwanese tea house at 1 Brattle Square, Unit 2C. Rafferty said the operation has 18 seats across two areas and brews tea to order, a process that takes about five minutes. He said the proposal complies with the Harvard Square overlay criteria and that the Harvard Square advisory committee forwarded a positive recommendation with suggestions on lighting, hours and outdoor seating.
The board reviewed the special-permit criteria in the ordinance and discussed the advisory committee’s suggestions. No members of the public appeared to comment. The board found that the proposal satisfies special-permit standards, subject to the condition that the work conform to the drawings submitted (listed as prepared by BKA Architects and dated in the file) and that the applicant follow the plans and supporting statements on file. The board also incorporated the advisory committee’s letter and suggestions by reference as nonbinding recommendations.
The motion to grant the special permit passed by voice vote, with Carol Agate, Zaria Miranda, Michael LaRosa, Daniel Gonzales and Jim Monteverdi recorded in favor.
James Rafferty thanked the board and the applicant representatives for their time.
