The most extensive hearing at the Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 9 focused on Millbrook Group LLC’s proposal to convert the historic Collins Market building at 21 Cochituate Road into a café and bistro called Town House.
Collins Market Proposal
Applicant Kirstyn Lipson presented plans for weekday coffee and light fare service from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekend brunch and evening wine bar hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and a small upstairs dining space for private events. A rear patio with 8–10 seats is also proposed. Lipson emphasized local food sourcing and cited a 2024 town Economic Development Committee survey that identified a coffee shop as the most desired new business. She submitted 50 letters of community support.
Parking was the central issue. Lipson said projected demand would be 15.8 spaces on weekdays and 18.3 on weekends, compared to the site’s nonconforming requirement of 13.5 spaces. She pointed to nearby on-street parking, possible angled parking at the Depot, and anticipated foot traffic from the rail trail as mitigating factors.
Several residents supported the concept but raised concerns about parking and traffic. Library Trustee Win Treese reminded the board of a 1986 Town Meeting vote placing the nearby library parcel, including the upper lot, under the trustees’ jurisdiction for future library use, limiting the ZBA’s authority to allocate those spaces. Town Manager Michael McCall also cited legal and liability concerns, adding that any arrangement would require a lease and bidding process.
Historic District Commission member Gretchen Schuler, speaking personally, urged coordinated long-term planning, including consideration of structured parking at the library site. Neighbor Margery Baston suggested time limits for nearby curbside spaces to encourage turnover.
Board members praised the proposal but questioned their authority to waive parking requirements. They voted unanimously to continue the hearing to October 14.
School bus parking compliance
The board also reviewed interim compliance with a 2022 permit allowing up to 16 school buses to park behind the Town Building at 41 Cochituate Road through 2027. Conservation Director Linda Hansen raised concerns about idling buses affecting nearby conservation land and questioned unpermit-
ted striping of front parking spaces. She also cited safety concerns related to cut-through traffic and lack of pedestrian accommodations.
Facilities Director Michael Faia reported that barriers, signage, and a crosswalk had been installed, and said no fueling takes place on site. Board Chair Thomas White said the conflicting reports required further review, and the board directed Faia to meet with Hansen before returning Oct. 14.
12 Hammond Road
The board considered a request from the Wayland Municipal Affordable Housing Trust for 12 Hammond Road. A shift in the footprint of the approved three-bedroom home reduced one side yard setback but kept it within zoning minimums. White said the change was “insubstantial” and would be addressed with an amendment from town counsel.
Additional approvals
The board also approved a modification at 10 Chestnut Road, allowing the owner to adjust the placement of a new two-bedroom home to avoid a septic encroachment, with slight reductions in side setbacks.
