ROCKLAND — A site plan requirement from 1988 has dominated the conversation around Brian Fickett’s attempts to bring his food establishment “The Spot” to a Rockland location.

Ownership of 131 North Main Street has changed a couple of times since 1988. Once a Global gas station, the structure at the Broadway intersection opposite the high school eventually saw the removal of its gas pumps, and a subsequent owner then managed a deli for a few years. Now it sits vacant, waiting for potential new owners to turn the lights back on.

Though one could say that the location is ready and waiting for a second food establishment – the structure built, the parking lot aligned to current standards, the kitchen infrastructure ingrained – some people have been surprised by a Planning Board focus during Fickett’s project presentation that takes a look back, skipping over Oceanside Deli, and landing back at Global.

In 1988, the City of Rockland required the gas station to build a fence, recognizing that there were residential uses adjacent to a proposed convenience store at that time.

Thirty-six years later, the fence has fallen into disrepair, and, according to City Planner Rhett Lamb, is missing significant sections.

“Even though Google Earth and Street View will tell you that most of that fence is standing, I’m not sure ‘most’ is still a good word anymore,” said Lamb during an Aug. 6, 2024 Planning Board meeting.

Oceanside Deli apparently wasn’t required to maintain the fence, and current standards, in general, don’t heed the expectation.

“I just want to know that I’m hearing correctly,” said a Planning Board member, “that this fence has been in disrepair for quite some time and nobody has cited a violation of any kind because presumably there isn’t a violation.”

Lamb, however, said that there’s a difference between a violation and a compliant site plan.

Planning Board Chair Clare Stanton said that she interpreted the conversation to be that there wasn’t an inherent requirement for the fence, but based on the current condition of the fence, the Board is being asked to create a requirement to fix it.

The first Board member said his reason for asking his question was to work to create a requirement to continue the same sort of use upon a new owner. Yet, he also pointed out that at this location, vegetation has grown up through the years, creating the same buffer that a fence would have provided.

One neighbor told Lamb prior to the Aug. 6, 2024 meeting that the fence is still important to him. Lamb urged today’s Planning Board to vote to require a new fence for the sake of those neighbors. The Board agreed to the suggestion, approving the fence requirement as well as the project as a whole.

Fickett and his wife, Jillian, own the Sterlingtown Public House and Sterlingtown Bakehouse in Union, along with “The Spot” in Washington. 

His summary proposal submitted with the application for The Spot states that the establishment will be a “fast-casual” restaurant (counter service) serving burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken sandwiches, fries and onion rings. In addition they will have ice cream by the scoop and an array of craft beers, ciders, wines and seltzers along with fountain sodas. The inside will seat up to 40 people, hours of operation will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., six days a week, year round.

“We are incredibly community oriented and have built a strong relationship with both our towns and our communities alike over the last five years,” wrote Fickett in his application cover letter. “We look forward to providing for the Rockland community and hope this venture lays the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship with the city and its people.”

This project proposal is operated under the name Berkley Investments LLC (PB24-13). Charles Campbell is the architect.

The new owners will also work on storm drainage system to prevent potential buildup of large puddles.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com