Residents living near the Mandre Hotel presented videos and testimony to support their claims about the disturbances caused by the hotel’s events. They also raised issues with the hotel’s process of obtaining special event permits, alleging that proper notifications were not provided to residents. The residents emphasized modifications made to the hotel’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) over time, which they believe have resulted in the neighborhood disturbances.

Further discussions at the meeting involved the hotel’s entertainment practices, including live bands and DJs, and whether these activities complied with the hotel’s CUP. The hotel’s representative stated that efforts were being made to modify the speaker system to mitigate noise concerns. The board also highlighted the need for effective communication and cooperation between the hotel and nearby residents to ensure a balance between commercial activities and residential tranquility.

Regarding the Mandre Hotel’s operations, one board member praised Vendome, a venue on Washington Avenue, for its security measures and collaboration with the police department. However, concerns about queuing on the sidewalk were raised, as the existing ordinance prohibits queuing. The board considered modifying the conditional use permit to address these issues while emphasizing public safety and compliance with city ordinances.

The Planning Board also addressed a revocation modification hearing for the Lincoln Lane establishment, noting the importance of security and compliance with rules and regulations. Concerns were raised about police calls for service and the number of promoted events held at the club. The board requested the presence of the police at the next meeting to provide statistics on these events.

Additionally, the meeting touched on violations related to a development project on Washington Avenue. The board discussed issued violations, including the lack of a certificate of appropriateness, tinting of windows, obstruction of the sidewalk, and valet services. The applicant explained the steps taken to resolve these issues and the challenges faced with valet services.

The Planning Board also reviewed a new application for the mixed-use development project on Harding Avenue. The project involves townhomes, apartments, retail, and office spaces, with an emphasis on enhancing the visual appeal of the neighborhood. The architects presented the project’s layout and design, focusing on integrating the development with the existing residential context. The board discussed the potential impact of the project on the neighborhood, addressing concerns related to parking and the placement of different project components.

Discussions about noise buffers, special events without permits, and the installation of new technology to absorb sound were also on the agenda. A disagreement between different associations regarding the noise issue led to a suggestion for collaboration on operational issues. The board considered a three-month delay to allow for speaker replacement and sound plan modifications.

The meeting further delved into code amendments related to commercial, industrial, and residential height and setback regulation modifications in response to the Live Local Act. The board debated the proposed changes’ impact on affordable housing development and sought feedback from the development community. The discussion on height restrictions was continued to a subsequent meeting.