Legacy Place Approved for Merchandise Kiosks

After nearly an hour of debate between Planning Board members and Legacy Place officials, the board approved, by a 3-2 vote, a plan to put outside kiosks in the open-air mall.

At the Aug. 11 meeting, Peter Zahka, counsel for WS Development, which operates Legacy Place, laid out a plan to place seven retail merchandising units (RMUs) along the sidewalks. Legacy Place would reserve one kiosk for use by non-profit and civic organizations, with Dedham groups getting preferential treatment.

But, board members argued that the busy sidewalks already have a slew of pedestrians and obstacles - like cafe tables - that impede foot traffic, and adding kiosks would compound the issue.

"Sidewalks are for people. And I have a problem when someone has to go in the street," said board member Ralph Steeves.

Legacy officials contended the sidewalks were more than big enough to handle foot traffic and RMUs.

The kiosks would have continuous sale until the weather gets bad, and Legacy plans to put the six leased to retailers on the largest sidewalk that runs from City Sports to Yard House.

After a back-and-forth exchange between Beth Winbourne, the manager of Legacy Place, and board members about what the seventh "community" booth could do, Winbourne said they could work on a policy, and it could include the sale of raffle tickets, or other items.

The issue for the Planning Board was whether the community kiosk would be useful if it only handed out informational pamphlets.

"I think that kiosk would be a ghost town [if it couldn't sell items]," said Michael Podolski, a board member. Members spoke of selling Boy Scout raffle tickets and Girl Scout cookies.

Chairman Robert Aldous said he thought the kiosks would create another distraction for drivers. They would want to pull over in front of a kiosk to buy something quick, Aldous warned.

"I think they are something that will attract the eye of the driver," Aldous said. "I don't think they're going to help safety, they're going to make it worse."

The town sent an independent consultant to look at four existing kiosks at Legacy Place, who didn't see many problems.

"We didn't see any real issues with the parking, any real issues with traffic or with crosswalks," said Steven Findlen.

Legacy officials said they would add signage, but said the bevy of security and police detail would patrol the area well to prevent cars from idling anywhere in the parking lot.

With Aldous and Steeves voting against the measure, which didn't require unanimity, board members elected to pass it temporarily for one year. The board said it would review the RMUs next summer.

But not without a final stipulation by Steeves.

"I want to know if someone gets pick pocketed, robbed or caught shoplifting off any one," he said.

"If those are the type of people [kiosks] are going to bring, they aren't going to be there. They aren't good for [Legacy]."