Business & Tech

New Peruvian Restaurant Operating Without All Permits

The new owner said he didn't realize he needed a Special Permit when he took over the former Village Pizza. He is in the process of getting that permit.

Antara, the new Peruvian restaurant at 1 Green Street, has been operating illegally for eight days. 

Owner Pedro Laredo was at Town Hall Monday (Nov. 18) night to ask the Planning Board to determine whether his new restaurant is a significant change of use from the former use of the space (Village Pizza). 

Laredo had obtained several of the necessary inspections and permits as he renovated the space in the last month but he did not know he needed a special permit to operate a business in a residential neighborhood. He will be in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals on Dec. 13 to ask for that permit. 
 
There is a $100 a day fine if the town chooses to enforce it. 

Laredo told the Planning Board he bought the restaurant with plans to open a Peruvian pizza place. But with five other pizza shops in town, he changed his mind (though he did keep the pizza oven, just in case). 

Eventually, he hopes to obtain a liquor license and to expand his seating from 25 people to 46 -- he has the interior space but ample parking in the 1 Green Street plaza could present a problem -- both of those changes would require additional hearings.

Board member Stephen Browne was concerned that the board was setting a precedent if it determined there was no significant change of use.

"You still have an illegal situation because you're open for business and you haven't asked us for a determination. It seems that we have the cart before the horse," he said to Laredo. "We're talking about a situation with someone operating without going through the process."

Laredo apologized to the board and said that he is learning the process and wants to be a good neighbor and give back to the community. 

"I totally agree with you," Laredo said. "I'm doing this with good faith and I apologize." 

Board members assured Laredo that its members are pro-business but they were concerned about the process. 

After a 45-minute discussion, the Planning Board determined there is not a significant change of use from pizza to Peruvian food if the seating (25 people) stays the same which Laredo said it would. A condition of approval was that he must reappear in front of the Planning Board if he expands the number of seats. 


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