By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — After tabling Grievous Gallery’s request at a prior meeting, the Salisbury Planning Board on Tuesday gave the business the OK to have beer and wine consumption with several conditions.

After close to three hours of discussion, a courtesy hearing and questions about language of the city’s ordinances, the board passed the application, 9-2. Now, the applicant’s special use permit is in the fate of City Council.

Grievous Gallery has opened its second location on 111 W. Bank Street. It’s zoned downtown mixed-use and surrounded with other tracts labeled downtown mixed-use as well as historic residential.

On Tuesday, neighbors voiced their concerns about the space, which allows patrons to break glass items, to permit alcohol consumption, and what the lasting impacts will have for the area in terms of property values. At a previous meeting, the board concluded they would like to hear from an expert to offer testimony on property values.

Applicant Alysia Demers brought an expert — Heather Waterman, a Realtor with Key Real Estate. Waterman said, for the West Square neighborhood, houses are on the market for an average of 253 days, and the property values are not high. She said a gallery that sells alcohol for consumption would not hurt the values and it may increase the interest in the area.

Some planning board members said they did not think Waterman’s testimony was sufficient in addressing the effect of property values.

Chair Bill Wagoner asked the board if it felt the use of the building was appropriate, considering the possibilities that come with the downtown mixed-use zoning, which can range from an animal services to a light manufacturer.

“Is this (special use permit), with the conditions we discussed, injecting into the residential atmosphere adjacent to it something uniquely different relative to residential usage that doesn’t already exist and is available to the owner if they choose to do something?” Wagoner said.

Another concern raised was a preschool at First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church Street, would be close to a place that serves beer and wine. The city’s ordinances state that a school, which is licensed by the state, cannot be less than 500 feet away from a bar, tavern or night club. After some discussion, the board decided the church is not considered a school, since there is a child care definition with no inclusion about alcohol consumption. 

Conditions that came with Tuesday’s approval included that on-site sales and consumption will be Tuesday-Saturday 4-10 p.m. and on Sunday 4-9 p.m. Demers plans to open the gallery at 2 p.m. The gallery will have no alcohol consumption outside. The gallery will be limited to only beer and wine, no hard liquor. It also will be required to have security for live music events.

The gallery will have a live music curfew Sunday-Thursday at 9 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m. The gallery also must comply with the city noise ordinance. 

The special use permit, with its conditions, will go to City Council for approval. Grievous Gallery will also have to get approval from the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission.