STAGING A TRANSFORMATION – Jay Hanflig, center, and his wife, Donna, met with the selectmen this week to secure approval of liquor, food service, and entertainment licenses for a proposed performing arts center at the site of the Atlantic Aquarium at 120 Nantasket Ave. Their attorney, Gregory Sullivan, is at left. [Roger Jackson photo]

The lengthy application process for Jay and Donna Hanflig’s liquor, entertainment and food-service licenses for their proposed performing arts center ended with unanimous approval from the board of selectmen Tuesday night.

During a special meeting that focused solely on the Hanfligs’ plans, the board’s vote was 4-0, with Chairman John Silva recusing himself from the discussion because he lives in the Atlantic Hill condominiums near the site.

The couple is seeking an all-alcoholic, year-round license for Nantasket Legasea, a 4,000-square-foot restaurant and lounge, as well as a 4,000-square-foot function room and the performing-arts hall itself, which would comprise another 4,000 square feet. Jay Hanflig has estimated that the full build-out of his project would cost about $4 million.

The Hanfligs bought the building at 120 Nantasket Ave. – built in 1972 as the Atlantic Aquarium – and 21,700 square feet of land in December for $1.25 million from Elaine Nardo, who had owned it since 1984. In addition to a performance stage, the plan calls for dance studios and a 60-foot-by-40-foot professional ballroom dance floor, an ocean-view restaurant and lounge, a music studio, retail store, a garden apartment for staff and/or performers, and offices.

In response to the board’s requests during earlier sessions of the hearing, Jay Hanflig and his attorney, Gregory Sullivan, provided detailed information on the layout and capacity of the seating and serving areas. He also provided a parking plan and a clearer picture of a proposed balcony that would accommodate patrons waiting for available seating inside the restaurant and lounge.

Town Counsel James Lampke coordinated the board’s issuance of conditions for the licenses during the two-hour special session. The six venues within the proposed performing arts center that will potentially serve alcohol must be noted in the license. The areas include the performing arts center [maximum capacity of 780], club box seats located in the performance area [capacity of 96], the restaurant and lounge [capacity of 300], a second-floor lobby, first floor and extended lobby area [capacity of 100], and the ballroom and dance studios [capacity of 250].

Lampke and members of the board discussed the capacity, hours of operation, and the licensing restrictions for each venue. The board also requires staff members who are involved in alcoholic beverage handling or serving to be TIPS certified, demonstrating training in liquor service.

Plans for an outdoor balcony near the restaurant have been nixed, however, since board members John Reilly, Joan Meschino, and Christopher Olivieri said they would not support it.

Several members of the audience voiced support for what the Hanfligs would like to do in Hull. Allison Leonard, chairman of the Hull Cultural Council, said she was excited about a performing arts center opening in town.

“This is a wonderful thing for families,” Leonard said, adding, “It will give visibility for the town.” Leonard noted that Hanflig has “worked hard at being a good neighbor.”

David Clinton, president of Hull Performing Arts, said he commends the Hanfligs for coming to town.

“Mr. Hanflig has assembled quite a team of people,” Clinton said. “All aspects are well thought out.”

Clinton, also a member of the town’s advisory board, mentioned the “return investment” for the town. “The return will be immeasurable with this type of outfit on our borders.”

Artist Lenore Schneider bubbled with enthusiasm over the proposed performing arts center. “We are absolutely, positively thrilled at the prospect!” she exclaimed. Her husband, Bill Smyth, agreed. “This is a great step for Hull,” Smyth said. “This is something that is bigger than anything Hull has ever had. A major move for the town of Hull.”

Abutters William and Marie Schleiff, who live at 29 State Park Rd., raised concerns about parking and the capacity of the building.

“How long is the lease with Paul Gratta [for satellite parking]?” William Schleiff asked. “Is it a one-year lease? A 10-year lease? What happens after the lease is up? I want to see a lease. I also hope they will have a fine-tuned valet system.”

Hanflig said Gratta, whose property at 36 Nantasket Ave. is the site of the former Worrick Mansion function hall, has agreed to lease space on his property for valet parking purposes.

Marie Schleiff, an educator, thanked those involved for their time and effort. “You’re trying to dot every i and cross every t,” she said. “I can’t object to the project. I give it an A+. But for the locale, I’d have to give it a D.”

Marie Schleiff discussed the limited parking in the area of 120 Nantasket Ave. She said she has researched similar venues in the area and said the Hanfligs’ plan does not provide enough parking.

She told the board that she fears that the neighborhood will be inundated with cars driving around looking for a space. “We are not the only ones who will be affected by this,” she said. “There’s a whole neighborhood in Atlantic Hill.”

Schleiff also voiced her fears about safety and pedestrian circulation when patrons are emerging from the building at the end of the night or after a performance. Mrs. Schleiff also pointed out that variances need to be granted in order for the building to be built, saying that the Hanfligs still need to go before the zoning board of appeals and other town boards.

Despite her concerns, Schleiff said she isn’t totally against the project. “Let’s do it, but let’s do it right,” she said.

“I have reached out to work with the neighbors,” Hanflig said in a brief response. “I’ve taken everything into consideration. It’s in our best interest to have parking available. I believe it will be very infrequent that we will be at capacity, but that is why we located off-site parking. We don’t know what will happen in a year or 10. We know we have other boards to visit. We’re going to work hard at it and do it the right way.”

Town Manager Philip Lemnios acknowledged the Schleiffs’ concerns as well, saying he understands the neighbors’ and abutters’ concerns.

“We need to find a balance between those concerns and the community,” he said. Lemnios said that economic development issues are key in terms of a project such as the one Hanflig is proposing.

He pointed out that art centers are becoming a great way to bring culture into towns that with struggling business areas and can help with the redevelopment and revitalization of downtown areas.

“It could bring people to our restaurants and to the hotel, which helps the town of Hull,” he said. “It’s real and tangible and will have a significant impact on the neighborhood and town.”