By Seth Daniel
On Wednesday night, April 13, the Zoning Board of Appeals gave approval to two highly anticipated high-end restaurant proposals for the Everett Avenue Urban Renewal District.
The first approval was for Fusion Foods, a well-established restaurant in the downtown district that has been under the ownership of Melissa Vo for several years.
Vo is planning to relocate the business to a small building near the railroad tracks on Everett Avenue, which has previously been home to a florist.
The ZBA voted 3-0 in favor of the plan, and Vo stated that the new location is expected to open in the coming months.
The second approval was for a new venture by Chelsea resident Mark Nadow and Eastie native and chef Mike Sheridan, named Chelsea Station Restaurant. The restaurant will be located at 105 Everett Ave., a former bank and previously a fire station, and will feature a bar area and seating for approximately 120 people.
“This is going to be the first of its kind here,” said Attorney John Dodge. “This is going to be an economic driver for the City. It’s going to be on par with the restaurants you might see on Newbury Street in Boston. It could be like a Stephanie’s on Newbury Street…It’s really going to be a new experience in Chelsea unlike anything we’ve seen in the past.”
The restaurant owners plan to highlight the old firehouse aesthetic in their design, incorporating elements that evoke the look and feel of a historic fire station. They also intend to expose the original brick from the station, which is among the few buildings to have survived the two great fires.
The restaurant will offer 17 parking spaces, but will also make use of ample spaces available after 5 p.m. in the Simboli properties across the street. One issue was the lack of an official letter confirming that those spaces could be used. The board voted 3-0 for the proposal with the condition that a letter be submitted.
- Dave Peach of the Broadway Mini-Mall presented his plan to the ZBA for 15 units of housing above his building at 307 Broadway, as well as adding a fourth story to the old Masonic Building and Theatre. Only four parking spots are proposed, but the project is part of a series of proposals aimed at appealing to the non-car demographic. Peach and his attorney, Jay Duca, indicated they expect one-bedrooms to be priced at $1,100 and two-bedrooms at $1,500. The proposal will move to the Planning Board for review and return to the ZBA on May 12.
- City Councillor Roy Avellaneda appeared before the ZBA with his proposal to operate a coffee shop in Cary Square, called Pan Y Cafe. The shop is currently the Chelsea City Cafe and Avellaneda would take it over from current owner, Chuck Finley.
“This will be a great project,” said Councillor Luis Tejada. “My whole life has been in that little area. It always seems to me it could be a little Davis Square…I think this will improve the area.”
- Another proposal by the owners of the commercial/residential building that houses Heller’s Liquors at 413 Broadway was not as straightforward. The owners proposed converting eight large units into 16 smaller units. ZBA members identified several issues with the plan, including parking arrangements. The matter will go to the Planning Board and then return to the ZBA on May 12.
- David Therrien, 20 High St., received approval for a driveway.
- Alma Villanueva was granted permission to change the use at 84 Washington Ave. to open a grocery/meat market.
- TJL Series LLC (Dunkin Donuts) was given permission to install projecting lights on their new signs at the 232 Everett Ave. store.