Zoning Board Considering Plan For Defunct Chevy Dealership

Planner Mia Petrou explained the reasons she believes the Westwood Zoning Board should grant variances for a proposed five-store retail space at the site of the defunct Chevrolet dealership on Kinderkamack Road Monday night.

At , Board Chairman William Martin has questioned the use variance, as the 2011 Master Plan Reexamination did not include the property in the "general retail" zone. The property is zoned for some retail uses, such as a large appliance store, antique store or bank.

According to Petrou, the site is far enough away from the Central Business District that the new stores will not be competing with existing ones, the use variance will only be for some of the businesses in the space and the business on the site will be oriented away from the homes behind it. The plan calls for renovating the building currently on the site.

"We're turning a defunct property into an active use," Petrou said.

Several board members expressed concern that parking from certain businesses like restaurants could overflow onto nearby streets. Board member Vernon McCoy said he does not think the stores should be open 24 hours a day and board member Raymond Arroyo said other developers in the zone may ask for general retail use variances.

"I have problems with this," Arroyo said.

Developer Nicholas Aynilian said he would agree to a condition limiting the number of restaurants on the site. The planned 7-Eleven store would require there be no other restaurants in the strip as a condition of their lease, Aynilian said.

The board also requested that left turns be prohibited leaving the site. Drivers making a left will have to leave via a secondary exit onto Crest Street. The project architect and engineer will also need to make adjustments to a pylon sign, which board members and board Planner Kathryn Gregory said would be too large as proposed.

The board will continue hearing the application at their April 2 meeting. Martin said he expects they may complete it then. Aynilian has also planned to build a second five-store space across the street at 40 Kinderkamack Road. The board has not yet heard testimony about the second building.