Village Planning Bd. Holds Public Hearing on Yesterdays Relocation Project

By Elise Fisch

A standing-room-only crowd was on hand on Tues., May 11 for the Village of Warwick Planning Board public hearing regarding 16 Elm St., the proposed new location of Yesterdays restaurant currently located on Main St. in the Village of Warwick.

There was a large, vocal turnout on the part of the public, several of whom live in the homes adjacent to the Elm St. property. The room quickly reached full capacity, capped at 33 persons, with a handful of extra attendees listening from the lobby.

Although construction has started, the project has been on hold for four years while Yesterdays owner, John Christison, and several residents, led by Patrick Gallagher of West St., have been locked in litigation over the project.

Before the public was given the floor, John Cappello, legal representation of 16 Elm St., LLC., made a statement to the Board highlighting Christison’s compliance over the years, including the 32 trees that are slated to be planted that will act as a sound and privacy barrier between the restaurant and the homes that surround it.

Cappello requested that a member of the Planning Board, Kerry Boland, recuse herself from the discussion, as he felt, based on comments made during prior meetings, that she would not be an unbiased party. Boland, voicing that she still had unanswered questions regarding the project, chose not to recuse herself at this meeting.

A total of fourteen members of the public went before the Board to voice their opinions on how they believed the project would impact the community. Many of those who spoke in support of Yesterdays made a point of expressing their disappointment in the actions of the Board itself, rather than that of the opposing citizens.

Long-time Warwick residents Nancy and Glen Miller agreed that it was “a shame” that Mr. Christison was not able to proceed with construction after four years. Gedge Driscoll, who has lived in Warwick for 41 years and whose home borders the new Yesterdays, lamented the loss of the irreplaceable 80-year-old trees that were uprooted from the area.

Patrick Gallagher yielded his time to David Gordon, the attorney who represents Gallagher and many of the residents who live in the area surrounding 16 Elm St. Using bird’s-eye-view photos of the area from 2017 and today, Gordon attempted to depict to the Board how trees that were within the “no disturbance area” were, he believed, disturbed and removed.

Most of the remaining speakers primarily expressed support for Mr. Christison and his endeavors, as well as displeasure with the Board and their decisions regarding this matter thus far.

After hearing the public’s comments, Board member Bill Olsen made a motion to leave the hearing open for ten more days to allow for submission of additional written comments from the public, as is customary with these types of public hearings.

Before the motion was seconded, however, another motion was made by Board member Thomas McKnight to close the public hearing and accept no further comments. Jesse Gallo seconded this motion, but it was struck down two to three when the Board put it to a vote. Olsen repeated his motion to allow ten more days for comments with ten additional days allotted for Christison to respond, which passed.

15 Elm St. – Warwick Feed & Grain

Another public hearing was held regarding the property at 15 Elm St., the former home of Warwick Feed & Grain, now the location of long-time Village business Irace Architecture. After receiving the approval of a zone change from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Joe Irace came before the Planning Board for final approval of his site plan which was accepted and approved after no comments were made by the public.

Dream Donuts to Open on South St.

Kyle Cosmillo received approval from the Planning Board for a change of use/site plan waiver to utilize the proposed space as a to-go coffee, candy, and donuts shop in what was formerly a dry cleaners. Dream Donuts will be opening in the coming weeks at 72 South St., across the street from Stanley-Deming Park.

Former Chase Bank to Become Greek Restaurant

Michael Desilets and Joe Irace also received approval for a change of use/site plan waiver for the property located at 30 Main St., a building that formerly housed a Chase bank. Desilets plans to transform the space into a “high-end” Greek restaurant and bar, serving 165 customers and employing nine.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Village of Warwick Planning Board will be held on Tues., June 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Warwick Town Hall, 132 Kings Hwy, Warwick.