A proposal to open a mini-Cisco brewery at the former Brotherhood of Thieves restaurant on Broad Street was already facing opposition from neighbors ahead of its first public review at the Planning Board on Monday. Yesterday, the Nantucket Land Bank Commission joined those who are raising concerns about the proposed expansion of the outdoor patio area of the downtown establishment.
The new ownership group at the Brotherhood that is led by Henry Helgeson and includes Cisco Brewers CEO Jay Harman submitted a proposal to the Planning Board seeking to expand the capacity of the patio from 80 to 195 occupants, while adding a retractable awning, an outdoor bar area, and a stage for live acoustic music with amplification by “micro-speakers.”
After the Planning Board heard a chorus of concerns on Monday from neighbors of the Brotherhood regarding noise, traffic, and the potential for drunken behavior, the elected Land Bank Commission was unanimous in echoing those concerns during its meeting on Tuesday. The Land Bank’s office is directly across the street from the Brotherhood, and so it was formally notified of the expansion plans as an abutter.
“It would create a horrible disturbance,” Land Bank commissioner Allen Reinhard said. “If I was a neighbor, I would be up in arms about this, and we are neighbors.”
Land Bank treasurer Kristina Jelleme agreed.
“We should be in full support of the objections of this MCD (major commercial development) modification that would change the feel and style of that area, and standing by what we believe in,” Jelleme said.
The Land Bank now intends to submit a formal letter of opposition to the Planning Board regarding the patio expansion plans.
Attorney Sarah Alger, who represents the Brotherhood’s new ownership group, said during Monday’s Planning Board meeting that the patio expansion plan had been misrepresented. The outdoor area will be mostly seating for 141 people, as well as an new section designated for people waiting for the Cisco Brewers shuttle (moving the shuttle pick-up/drop-off location from Federal Street). The proposed 195-person capacity also includes employees.
“So it’s all proposed seating,” Alger said. “It’s not a lot of people standing or milling around or grouping together. It’s all proposed to be seated.”
The new concept, announced earlier this month, would have Cisco operating the outdoor patio space as a “nano-brewery”, while interior restaurant areas would remain largely intact, with some minor modifications. The lower-level restaurant would operate as its own entity, while its kitchen would be converted into a micro-distillery, brewery and winery. The first-floor bar and restaurant would be a separate establishment, although it would share its kitchen with the lower-level restaurant.
Neighbors of the Broad Street property, including many on Ash Street behind the Brotherhood, vigorously objected to the patio plans, especially the proposed occupancy and live music element.
“There’s nothing small or micro about these plans, they are grandiose,” said Jonathan Pressment. “This is not a renovation of the Brotherhood. This is a transformation of the Brotherhood…It is the Brotherhood on steroids.”
Former Brotherhood owner Eliot Krause also chimed in at the Planning Board meeting to say that while he had sold the property to the new ownership group, he had not yet sold the Brotherhood name and logo. “I’m in discussions with the group and will give them permission to use it if we reach some sort of agreement, Krause said.
The hearing was continued to the Planning Board’s next meeting in November.
