The Board of Selectmen on Monday renewed town licenses allowing a developer to operate the former Bali Hai as a pub-style restaurant even as a developer’s bid to build apartments on the Bali Hai property continues under court review.
MDK Ventures under town bylaws has “by right” permission to use the Bali Hai for a restaurant. The board approved applications for a restaurant all-alcohol license, weekly entertainment application, common victualer license and an automatic amusement license.
Bali Hai’s use as a restaurant is welcome local news, said Board Chairman Phil Crawford. Well-known to town residents with its distinctive Polynesian architecture, Bali Hai has been a local fixture for 49 years and has historical designation status.
The new restaurant will be called American 160 Bar and Grill.
“It will be a local Lynnfield restaurant with a nice neighborhood feel,” Crawford said.
He said MDK is making renovations to the building, including the kitchen.
“They didn’t give us an exact date when they will open,” Crawford said.
MDK is challenging a town Zoning Board of Appeals decision two years ago rejecting a 23-unit luxury apartment development on the Bali Hai site. The developer appealed the board decision to state Land Court and the appeal remains under review.
Although the Bali Hai site is grandfathered for restaurant use, the zoning board questioned the potential impact of a residential development on the 1.4-acre Moulton Drive site.
