Developers of a proposed Taco Bell in Glenmont are seeking variances for parking and facade signs from the Bethlehem Zoning Board of Appeals.
The project is being developed by Hospitality Syracuse Inc., for the Bethlehem Town Center shopping plaza at 241 Route 9W. The project calls for the construction of a 2,595-square-foot restaurant with drive-thru, and will be placed near the current Panera Bread.
The parking variance is being sought because construction of the building will remove 25 parking spaces, which will not be replaced. The developers said parking should not be an issue because “approximately 70 percent of the proposed customers are said to use the drive-thru.”
The building is being proposed for that space because of it’s location to other fast food restaurants, and because developers believe the parking area to be “underutilized.”
A new, freestanding sign is not being proposed in order to go through the process with the least amount of variances needed. Instead the restaurant would look like the Wendy’s across the plaza, with signs on all four facades of the building.
Chairman Dan Coffey said the project needs to go through the Albany County Planning Board before a final determination can be made.
The public hearing for the project will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at 7 p.m.