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Date: 3/1/2023
WARE – The Ware Zoning Board of Appeals continued its public hearing on the request of a special permit to exceed the density requirement and convert two commercial spaces into two residential first floor units at 135 Main St., which is zoned Downtown Commercial.
M&A Real Estate applied for a special permit on behalf of owner BlackRock SH Group.
Currently, the building has eight apartments and two commercial spaces. One commercial space is occupied by Feel in Great Nutrition, a shake and tea shop, while the rest of the building is empty.
On March 23, 2021, the Main Street building was engulfed in flames, causing damage to the third-floor unit, but not the second or first floor – allowing the spaces to be utilized now.
If there was a zone change, the Zoning Board of Appeals noted that additional parking spaces would be required to accommodate all tenants. They added that there isn’t optimal street parking or parking allowed in nearby Veterans Park.
Bri Boudreau said she has worked at Feel in Great Nutrition. She shared that she attended the meeting because she was “upset” the owner who rents out the space was never given notice about the hearing, whereas abutters were.
Another participant, who did not state their name, agreed and asked where the tenant is supposed to go. After dealing with the fire, changing hands and building this current business up, she feels bad for any business that must experience that.
The Zoning Board of Appeals noted that this is in the beginning stages of the project – nothing is certain.
Zoom participant Krystal M said, “It’s not just a shop… It’s a family.” She added that the tea shop has brought business to Ware and it is a “shame” they were not notified about the meeting.
Issues with parking among others led the Zoning Board of Appeals to continue the public hearing until March 22 at 7 p.m.