Twelve Tribes plans new cafe, theatre, retail for Main Street location

The Twelve Tribes is planning a new two-story café and store on Main Street with a private theater in the back and a connecting courtyard that extends to the rear of the existing Blue Blinds Bakery on North Street.

Wicked Local,Massachusetts/November 27, 2014

By Emily Clark

Plymouth -- The Twelve Tribes is planning a new two-story café and store on Main Street with a private theater in the back and a connecting courtyard that extends to the rear of the existing Blue Blinds Bakery at 7 North St.

Marcel Masse of the Twelve Tribes were scheduled to appear before the Planning Board Monday night to request a special permit and a waiver to move forward with these plans.

Blue Blinds Bakery and the properties slated for the proposed renovations include 53-57 and 59 to 61 Main St., and are all owned by Masse, who is one of the Tribe’s leaders. The current attic area at the Main Street location would be converted to residences for Twelve Tribes members, and would include a common area.

Part of the plan includes creating an alley off Main Street, serving a walkway that would connect to the courtyard.

The former Steven's the Florist building, next to Common Sense, the Twelve Tribes' store, has been empty for some time next.

The existing 42-foot-tower on the Common Sense building already exceeds the town’s zoning bylaws, which require a special permit for structures taller than 35 feet. And the religious community is asking the town to let it exceed that height even further to extend this tower to 48 feet.

Masse is also requesting a parking waiver for the project.

Senior Planner Robin Carver explained that the existing uses on the site are already nonconforming and grandfathered, and what is proposed would actually require fewer spaces. But a waiver is still required.

The Historic District Commission has already approved the plans, which show architectural detail and features in keeping with the historic character of the downtown area.

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