The Town of Millis Planning Board voted April 8 to approve two special permits and to continue a third public hearing to May 13.

Dog-park application continued: The board continued a special-permit with site-plan-approval hearing for a proposed private dog park at 131–380 Main Street (applicant: David L. Lapp, Lapp Dog LLC) at the applicant’s request; the hearing was continued to May 13, 2025 at 7:35 p.m.

35 Main Street (restaurant) approved: The board approved a special permit with site-plan approval for demolition of an existing commercial building and construction of a new restaurant at 35 Main Street (applicant: Nancy Cushman, Skippy’s on the River). The approval included standard conditions plus three special conditions discussed at the meeting: (1) inspection of the existing sewer manhole, grease trap and pump chamber before and after construction (in coordination with the Board of Health); (2) the applicant must return to the board with any proposed signage (wall or freestanding) for approval; and (3) installation of a “no parking” sign at the existing boat ramp, as discussed at prior meetings. The board required submission of as-built drawings and an asphalt plan prior to occupancy and clarified that site conditions (e.g., wetlands, sewer capacity) and necessary municipal approvals must be satisfied before final occupancy. The board discussed a timing limit (24 months vs. one year) for substantial completion; members agreed the 24‑month standard used in other permits was acceptable but asked staff to confirm language and that the decision include a one-year extension clause if needed. The motion to approve carried on an “Aye” vote.

Flooding and operations: The board added a condition to address operation during flooding: if site access is blocked (for example, if the road is closed or the building cannot be circumnavigated), the restaurant must suspend in-house dining; limited takeout or curbside operations may be allowed if safe and permitted by other town departments. Board members asked that the condition define what constitutes “substantial flooding” in the permit language to avoid enforcement confusion.

725 Main Street (craft cidery / microbrewery) approved: The board approved a special permit for reuse of the existing Curtin Warehouse at 725 Main Street for a craft cidery/brewery (applicant: Shannon Edgar, Storm Alongcider Inc.). The applicant waived site-plan review for exterior changes, and the board included a loading/parking control condition requiring signage for nine parking spaces opposite loading doors to minimize interaction between truck deliveries and customer parking. The board discussed signage, a proposed wall mural (applicant will return with a separate application), and the applicant’s plans for limited special events; any outside tented events or activities beyond the building footprint would require additional permits. The transcript records the applicant saying they hope to begin fermentation in June but noted mechanical and permitting steps remain.

Votes: The board made and seconded motions to close the respective public hearings and to grant approvals or continuations; votes were recorded as “Aye.”

Background: Public notices for each matter were filed with the town clerk and posted on the Planning Board web page. The hearings and decisions referenced Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40A §11 for special-permit procedures.

What’s next: Applicants must comply with permit conditions (inspections, signage, as-built plans, and capacity determinations where sewer or septic are applicable). The dog-park hearing will reconvene on May 13, 2025.