By Phil Orlandella
A request to change the legal occupancy at 97 Salem Street was opposed 4-1 by the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) at its May monthly meeting.
“Residents were concerned about the 65.5-foot height addition,” NEWNC President Kevin Fleming said. (height limit in this area is 5.5 feet)
The change was from retail and offices to commercial space and a 14-room boutique hotel.
NEWNC supported a request by Saraceno and Bella Vista Restaurants.
Holder of an all-alcohol beverages license, Saraceno plans to sell the Bella Vista beer, wine and cordial license and expand the Saraceno license to include Bella Vista both with 1am closing hour.
The elected community group also supported a request by the owner of Petrova Chocolos, 61 Salem Street to open a retail specialty chocolate store at the site.
The owner is also seeking an off-premises beer and wine license to sell specialty European wines from the store.
NEWRA will not have an election this year, there wasn’t enough candidates to fill the six two year-term annual election. However, NEWNC will conduct an election of officers.