By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Candarella’s Bakeshop will be relocating their operation from 24 Vernon St. to 139 Albion St. after the Zoning Board of Appeals approved building owner Ryan Barry’s requests for Special Permits and other relief needed for the fast food use.
Attorney Brian McGrail told the ZBA that the one-story, red building directly across Tuttle Street from St. Joseph Church has historically been used exclusively as an office building. The end of the building closest to Albion Street, formerly occupied by Brownson Insurance, is where the bakery will be located, McGrail said. The remainder of the building will continue as office space.
The bakery space will have 22 seats, according to the plans. McGrail showed the board some planned minor architectural modifications.
He also addressed parking. The building currently has an unmarked parking area on one side of the building. The plan is to mark off seven spaces, including one handicapped space. Since 11 total spaces would be required under the bylaw for the combined office and fast-food use, a Special Permit for reduction in parking was also requested.
No one from the public spoke at the hearing.
The Board of Appeals granted the requested Special Permit to allow fast food use. The board also approved a Special Permit for the reduction of the parking requirements.
Candarella’s anticipates opening at the new location by late summer or early fall.
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At their last meeting, the ZBA approved language modifying two Special Permits granted by the board in the fall of 2021 related to Wakefield Living, LLC, a 58-unit, mid-rise, multifamily residential building with a first floor restaurant use at 62 Foundry St.
Earlier this year, representatives of the developer, DiBiasi Companies of Reading, approached the board and said that they were having trouble finding a restaurant tenant for the space. They requested that DiBiasi be allowed to use that space for its own corporate offices.
At its recent meeting, the ZBA voted to approve language modifying the original decision so that either a restaurant or office use would be allowed on the ground floor space. The modified language will remain in effect for five years unless extended by the ZBA.
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The ZBA is on its summer schedule and will meet just once in July (July 16) and once in August (Aug. 13).
Board members expressed a desire to return to live, in person meetings by September. The ZBA remains one of the only local boards still meeting via Zoom only.
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