Politics & Government

Grist Mill Rebuild Could Begin Tonight

A public hearing will take place on the reconstruction of the restaurant that was greatly damaged in last month's fire.

A larger crowd than usual is expected to be at Seekonk Town Hall tonight for the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. This is because the agenda includes a public hearing on the reconstruction of the , the historic restaurant that was greatly damaged in a June 24 fire.

Owner Greg Esmay is requesting variances to allow him to rebuild the structure, which has stood since the mid-18th century (with alterations, including a reconstruction following ), within the same footprint that it previously existed. The variance requests involve setback requirements and the construction of a building in the Wetlands and Floodplain Protection District.

Regarding construction in the protection district, the town's zoning bylaws state:

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No structure intended for human occupancy or use on a permanent basis having water and sewerage facilities and no other building, wall, dam or structure (except flagpoles, signs, or the like) intended for permanent use shall be erected, constructed, altered, enlarged or otherwise created or moved for any purpose unless a special permit is granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

However, the document further states:

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A structure existing at the time this bylaw becomes effective may be reconstructed or repaired to the original proportions after a fire or other casualty provided that no other provisions of these bylaws are violated.

Also included in the document is the following:

Pre-existing legal nonconforming structures or uses may be extended or altered by special permit upon a finding by the Zoning Board of Appeals that such change, extension or alteration shall not be substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming use to the neighborhood.

started after a banana-carrying truck overturned, causing it to strike a gas main and electrical service. State and local police determined last week that the driver was not speeding as he passed through the y-shaped intersection next to the restaurant on Fall River Avenue (Route 114A) that the state has determined to be 

Police alleged the crash was caused . State police cited Chiquita Fresh North America, which supplied and packed the bananas.

Esmay that approximately 70 percent of the structure survived the fire. The remaining portion of the building would be included in the new structure.

The restaurant's Facebook page features a post encouraging supporters to attend the ZBA meeting.

"The more support, the better chance of approval—let's fill the place," the post states. "Come show your support this Monday night."

Town Hall is located at 100 Peck St. The session will begin at 7 p.m. The Grist Mill reconstruction is the first item on the agenda. 


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