Bakery Proposal Draws Support and Questions

Waltham officials were generally supportive of a proposal to loosen rules to more easily allow bakeries in Waltham during a Wednesday night public hearing.

The proposal, by City Councilor Robert Logan, is to modify the city’s existing zoning regulations to specifically crate a category for bakeries in the downtown part of Waltham. The proposal would also allow for bakeries in Business A, Business C, commercial and industrial areas.

Currently, bakeries are allowed in Waltham, but city officials would have to classify them as something else under zoning regulations, Logan said.

“Let’s have some bakeries downtown,” Logan said.

SUPPORT/QUESTIONS 

·      In general, councilors and other officials supported the idea but had several questions.

·      City Councilor Daniel Romard asked whether the proposal would risk allowing having a chain, such as Dunkin Donuts, downtown. Logan acknowledged that was a possibility.

·      Logan, in response to a question from City Councilor George Darcy, said he would be open to altering the proposal to allowing for consuming of bakery products within the shop instead of requiring them to leave.

·      Downtown Waltham Partnership Executive Director Charnan Bray said her organization strongly supports the idea and has learned of a businessman who wants to open a bakery in Waltham.

·      The proposal was referred to the Ordinance & Rules Committee for a Nov. 18 discussion. 

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