By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD – The owner of a downtown building that was destroyed in a 4-alarm fire 15 months ago is eager to rebuild and recently got the OK to go forward with his plans from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The mixed-use building at 340 Main Street was destroyed in a devastating fire in May of 2023. It was home to a popular pizza shop, “Charlies on Main.” There were also two apartments upstairs. No one was injured in the fire, but two dogs in the upstairs apartments did not survive.
Attorney Brian McGrail represented property owner Gus D’Alfonso, who was appealing Building Inspector Benjamin DeChristoforo’s pro forma denial of his plan to rebuild on the site.
McGrail cited the local bylaw that states, “Any non-conforming structure may be restored provided that the new or restored structure is not substantially more nonconforming than the former structure.”
He said that DeChristoforo agreed that D’Alfonso has the right to rebuild but denied the request because he prefers to leave such matters in the hands of the ZBA to decide.
McGrail reminded the board that some architectural plans had been presented at the last meeting. He noted that the old building has a peaked roof and looked more like a house that was altered for business use on the ground floor. He said that the restored building will have a flat roof and a look that is more in keeping with downtown commercial buildings.
THIS BUILDING at 340 Main Street is set to be rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire last year. (Mark Sardella Photo)
He added that Senior Town Planner Samantha Elliot had made several suggestions that will be incorporated into the restoration plans. He said that the original plans called for an all stucco building exterior, but Elliot suggested brick for the Main Street facade. She also suggested extending the sign band all the way across the front of the building.
McGrail displayed some plans that incorporated those changes. He confirmed that the alley beside the building would not change, and the footprint of the building would remain the same.
Board members asked for more details on the upper floor windows and made several suggestions for added architectural details on the building facade.
Board member David Hatfield asked about exhaust vents on the roof for any future first-floor restaurant. He wanted assurances that there would not be any exterior venting ductwork on the side of the building.
He was re-assured that the redesign included an interior duct shaft for exhaust in the likely event that a new restaurant will occupy the ground level space.
In the interest of expediting the restoration of the downtown building, ZBA member Chip Tarbell suggested assigning a member of the board to work with the owner and architect.
McGrail reminded the board that the only decision before them was whether to overturn the Building Inspector’s denial. But he and D’Alfonso said that they were very open to working with the board on architectural details and materials.
No one from the public offered any testimony at the hearing.
The ZBA voted unanimously to overturn the Building Inspector’s denial, finding that the restored building as proposed would not be substantially more nonconforming than the original structure.
