By Kaitlyn Richards

Student Writer

According to a recent update at the Millis Planning Board, there is a proposal to build “24 units including 6 affordable apartments and one commercial unit” at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets, the site of the former Budabing’s 50’s Café. 

The 50’s-themed restaurant had been in business for more than 20 years before it was destroyed by fire in 2019. 

In a June 13 memo to the Planning Board, under the heading “1060 Main St, 40B,” Economic Development & Planning Director Robert Weiss said the project “is waiting for the state to complete its review of the application for site approval when the developer can then submit a Comprehensive Permit application to the Town.”

According to www.mass.gov, “Chapter 40B is a state statute, which enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20-25% of the units have long-term affordability restrictions.”

Weiss told Local Town Pages that, in order to pass a building proposal in Millis, “a private developer applies to the Building Department for a permit. The department either grants the permit or denies it, based on the Town’s zoning by-laws. If that happens the proposal goes to either the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Appeals, where the application is negotiated. The PB or the ZBA can then grant (or deny) the permit.”

The applicant was expected to appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals in July.