Foxborough Outdoor Beer Garden Seeing Pushback From Residents

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The Board of Selectmen will delay approving a seasonal outdoor craft beer garden behind the Chestnut Green Plaza after neighbors criticized the proposal. Instead, the project will first go before the Planning Bard for a recommendation before it's brought back for another public hearing.

Shovel Town Brewery, of Easton, sought permission to open the beer garden from May to October on a vacant lot owned by Easton-based developer Douglas King. King is also the developer slated to build a Shovel Town brew pub at the former Foxborough firehouse.

The beer garden would consist of a 20-foot by 30-foot tent with 28 picnic tables, on-site parking for 58 vehicles and food service available either from nearby restaurants, food trucks or a temporary food stand.

But at the selectmen meeting Tuesday, several neighbors were concerned about potential noise and said they felt they were blindsided by the proposal.

Gary Wallrapp, a Shean Lane resident, said he was disappointed abutters weren't made aware of the proposal even though selectmen have been reviewing Shovel Town's application for more than a month.

"I just wanted to say this is the first I heard of this," Wallrapp said. "We just felt left out of the process."

John Greenhalgh, another Shea Lane resident also criticized the board over a lack of communication. He said he's worried the beer garden would become so popular, noise and safety issues would follow.

"It's going to be really popular," Greenhalgh said. "The beer they serve is great."

Following public comment, the board agreed to hold another public hearing, pending a Planning Board recommendation.

"While I'm very much in support of this idea, and I think this could be a great addition, I don't think we should circumvent the public process," Selectwoman Leah Gibson said.

Gibson also said Planning Board input is needed because the selectmen are being asked to approve a pouring license, where the Planning Board may better equip to examine noise, parking, traffic and safety considerations.

The Planning Board is expected to review the proposal at its meeting on April 8.