COLONIE — The Planning Board advanced a 4,900-square-foot building that would house a takeout restaurant and a retail establishment at its last meeting.
The plan was presented by Nick Costa, of Advanced Engineering & Surveying, on behalf of the owner and developer, Ben Cardella. He wants to build a 3,000-square-foot restaurant and a 1,900-square-foot retail business on 4.5 acres of land at the intersection of Fuller Road and Cherry Street.
One resident spoke against the plan, citing his concerns over the proximity of a restaurant only 73 feet from his yard.
“I’m all for development but I am not for the restaurant and the dumpster and the smells,” said Wayne Dewey, who lives on Cherry Street. “As for any other type of development, rentals, I’m all for. But, I came from the restaurant industry and I know it can get pretty hideous.”
Costa said it is an operational issue and the restaurant will need to keep the dumpster empty so it doesn’t become a nuisance.
The project had previously received a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals to allow construction of a commercial building within 100 feet of a Single Family Residential zoning and to allow the location of a dumpster closer than what is allowed under current town code.
The restaurant would only offer take out and not offer any sit down dining, Costa said.
It will include 27 parking spaces and is expected to generate 85 new trips during the afternoon peak travel times.
Members of the board questioned why a takeout restaurant that did not offer seating would need a building that is 3,000 square feet.
Without naming the potential tenant, Costa said the establishment requested that much space.
Craig Shamlian, who was acting chair of the Planning Board, said he is concerned with the look of the building and would like to see a more details the next time it comes before the board. The project will need to come back for final site plan review before construction can start.
