44°
The Pound Ridge Planning Board, at its May 22 meeting, gave what is a conceptual approval for changing the restaurant's site plan, which did not involve a vote but was merely an informal nod of support. A formal vote is expected at the board's June meeting.
Additionally, the restaurant and the Bedford Central School District now have an agreement for use of 20 parking spaces at Pound Ridge Elementary School (PRES). Jason Worflar, who disclosed the update to the Planning Board, also mentioned terms of the deal, which allow for parking usage on weekdays from 4:30 p.m. Through the night and on weekends beginning at 11:30 a.m. to closing time. The monthly fee to the school district is $1,200, according to an item included in the school board's May 20 meeting agenda.
The school board approved the agreement, a video of the May 20 meeting shows.
The inn is seeking to expand its on-site parking to 120 spaces. With the 20 PRES spaces, plus an additional 35 at a nearby nursery, the restaurant will have a total of 175 spaces. It was mentioned that the meeting that the work for the on-site parking expansion is estimated to take 65 days. The work will be phased and involve three areas on the property.
The inn also secured a zoning variance needed for an 8-foot fence what will serve as mitigation for Jon and Ginny Powers, who live on adjacent property to the north. Other screening will include the installation of an arborvitae hedge. Addressing landscaping at the meeting, Planning Board Chairperson Clayton Fowler requested a maintenance and replacement program for the hedge.
A woman who also lives near the inn, who declined to give her name and is trying to sell her property, complained about late-night activity, including from the staff.
“This is Pound Ridge, not the South Bronx,” she said, adding that the staff is “not being considerate.”
Fowler also wants improvement from the behavior of the restaurant's staff, saying it is “totally within your control.” Worflar expressed a willingness to address the matter.
The applicant received some favorable remarks. For example, Board member Steve Kushner felt that the tenor relating to the matter has improved and praised the restaurant.
The next major item for the expansion involves modifying a special permit condition. It was mentioned at the meeting that the condition requires all related parking to be off site. The Town Board, which would need to approve the change, will address the issue at its June 5 meeting, which starts at 8 p.m. Jon Powers, who is also deputy supervisor, will recuse himself because he is a neighbor.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Lewisboro and receive free news updates.
