Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Bistros sail through commission

Two new bistro license applications breezed through the City Commission Monday night, winning unanimous approval despite anticipated opposition. Noted chef Brian Polcyn and Papa Joe's won approval for their licenses after more than a dozen citizens spoke in favor of them. Opposition from new Commissioner George Dilgard, who had voted against Polcyn when he was on the Planning Board, evaporated as Dilgard reversed his position.

"Once the bus left (in favor of the thing) nobody wanted to step in front of it," said Buzz contributing editor Chris Longe, who attended the hearing.

Longe said developers had met with neighborhood residents since the Planning Board hearing in September, and apparently had responded adequately to concerns about traffic, parking and noise. Only one resident, who lives on Adams, spoke against the proposal.