The Boston Licensing Board today approved plans for the proposed Republic restaurant at Dorchester and Dresser streets after the proposed owners - who are putting up the 30-unit residential building it will go in - agreed to shrink its size from 240 to 130 seats and to eliminate an outdoor patio along the street.
In approving David Winnick and David Matteo's plans, the board also required them to shut accordion-style windows at 8 p.m.
Nearby residents attended a hearing yesterday morning to both praise and oppose the plans for a stretch of Dorchester Street that has long consisted of commercial buildings.
Residents in favor, who included both long-time residents and newcomers who said they moved to South Boston from the suburbs or Bay Village to be in the city or to have more room for their families, said the restaurant will bring a much needed local place for people who just want to walk down the street for a bit to eat. The older among them said the restaurant would let them enjoy a meal and a conversation, unlike certain other South Boston restaurants that are geared towards boisterous young folks.
Opponents said the reduction in seats didn't go far enough and predicted that, especially with the accordion windows open in the summer, they would be beset with noise from a place better suited for Congress Street or Broadway - enough noise, some feared, to drive them out of the neighborhood.
The mayor's office and several city councilors, including Bill Linehan and Michael Flaherty supported the proposal. An aide to Flaherty asked the developers to consider talking to the owners of adjoining commercial properties about using their parking spaces during the evening hours.