Millis planning board approves juice bar and tent permits, amends Wagga Brew landscaping plan

The Town of Millis Planning Board on July 14 approved a bundle of business permits and an amended landscaping plan, voting to grant a special permit with waiver of site-plan approval for a juice bar at 16 Millicent Road and to allow several temporary event tents at Windy Knob Farm at 140 Causeway Street.

In the first public hearing of the evening, the board considered Millicent Common Inc.'s application for a juice bar at 16 Millicent Road. An attendee, Ellen Rosenfeld, described the proposal as a juice bar and answered board questions in the applicant's absence. The board reviewed the applicant's waiver request and parking calculations (zoning requires one parking space per 250 square feet of gross area). After closing the public hearing, the board moved, seconded and voted to grant the special permit with a waiver of site-plan approval.

The board then considered two separate temporary-structure special permits for events at Windy Knob Farm. Kenneth Santos of All American Party Rentals described using the same tent location previously permitted; the board confirmed that accessible portable toilets and building‑inspector inspections would be required. Separately, an EVO Tents representative confirmed that the company would provide required fire extinguishers and exit signage for a 30-by-60 tent and that the landowner would supply portable toilets and handicap parking. The board closed those hearings and voted to grant the temporary-structure permits with standard conditions and building-department oversight.

The board also granted a waiver of site‑plan review for a proposed two-chair barbershop at 917 Main Street. The applicant confirmed the anticipated use and the board relied on square-footage parking calculations and the building department for façade and code approvals.

A lengthy field-change request from Wagga Brew prompted detailed discussion about street trees. Owner David Lapp asked to omit front street trees so customers can see the building from Main Street, proposing trees in the rear or low shrubs as alternatives. Board members stressed consistency with previous approvals and town tree requirements; they offered alternatives: plant fewer trees, install low shrubs that do not block visibility, or make a donation to the town tree fund in lieu of planting. The board settled on a compromise motion: amend the plan to include one additional street tree, three boxwoods in front (low shrubs), and a donation to the town tree fund to make up the value of the five trees originally required. The board directed the applicant to obtain an engineer's memo to calculate the donation amount, and it approved the amended plan by vote.

All approvals carried with affirmative votes. Several items (including procedural checks with the conservation commission and engineering memos) were left as conditions before final permits or inspections.

The board said staff would follow up with applicants on building-inspector sign-offs and any additional documentation needed to finalize the permits.