Board’s dispute with Graziano Gardens could end in 2012
Date: 12/27/2011
Dec. 26, 2011By Chris Maza
Reminder Assistant Editor
EAST LONGMEADOW — The ongoing saga that is the Planning Board’s battle with Graziano Gardens could come to an end in 2012.
The board, which has been at odds with the 280 Elm Street business since 1998, hopes to receive and approve an updated site plan after the new year based on its recommendations.
“The board voted on the final draft of an agreement, which has been sent to Graziano Gardens’ legal counsel for review,” Planning Director Robyn Macdonald told
Reminder Publications, explaining that the recommendations are based upon several discussions and site visits by the board.
The Planning Board at its Dec. 19 meeting approved the draft agreement. Problems the board has found in the past have included parking lot by-law violations, such as: parking spaces found to be too short, retail products on display in the parking area, storage pallets in the back parking area, improperly parked employee vehicles and out-of-place handicap parking; misplaced fencing and misplaced lighting.
*** The Planning Board also approved the special permit and site plan for a new restaurant at 200 Shaker Road.
Bahadir Morsalogla told the board he planned to open a 36-seat restaurant featuring gyros and salads, which will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The restaurant will be closed on Sunday.
Morsalogla, of Turkish decent, said that in addition to gyros, the restaurant will feature other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. He has no interest in applying for a liquor license at this time.
The Planning Board’s approval was contingent upon proper electrical and plumbing inspections as well as approval from the Board of Health.
*** Another local restaurant has decided to make changes to its physical appearance and hours of operation, both of which were given the Planning Board’s blessing.
Patsy’s Restaurant, located at 600 North Main St., has opted to remove some tables and 16 of its regular seats in favor of a bar area equipped with 14 bar stools.
“The idea is if someone comes in alone to eat, they can eat at the bar area as opposed to sitting alone at a table for four,” MacDonald said.
Patsy’s will now also be open Sunday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Approval for the change in hours was contingent upon receiving approval for a change in the restaurant’s liquor license, which it received at the Board of Selectmen’s Dec. 13 meeting.
