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Townhouse Restaurant granted special permit for rear-yard outdoor dining at 72 Center/559 Main
Summary
The Planning Board approved a special permit allowing outdoor dining in the rear courtyard of Townhouse Restaurant at 72 Center/559 Main, limited to common ownership or a legally binding agreement.
The New Rochelle Planning Board on June 20 granted a special permit to allow outdoor rear-yard dining for the Townhouse Restaurant at 559 Main Street, using an adjoining courtyard at 72 Center Avenue.
Owners Tom Middleton and Thomas Yagoda presented the proposal to seat about 40 diners in the rear courtyard, activate a currently underused space and support downtown business activity. The application covers an area roughly 2,500 square feet behind Townhouse and adjacent to a two-story garage/warehouse the applicants own. The board heard that staff from the parking bureau confirmed required parking could be served by municipal facilities nearby.
Middleton described the goal as increasing downtown activation and said the owners have the right to use the courtyard area. “We’re hoping this can continue what I think Townhouse is hopefully doing, which is allowing for more activity, more sort of community activity,” he said. Thomas Yagoda described proposed hours (restaurant hours are currently 5–10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday), lighting (café lights and table lamps) and programming (jazz series, trivia nights, monthly artist events) intended to make the courtyard an intimate dining destination.
Board members discussed logistics including garbage and loading operations, tenant windows overlooking the courtyard, drive-aisle access and the potential need to clear furniture to allow occasional vehicle access. Middleton said trash pick-up would occur after business hours and the owners plan a permanent enclosure for refuse. The applicants said the back area’s furniture and plantings would be movable to allow occasional access when required.
The board approved the special permit with conditions requiring remediation of any construction damage to city right-of-way to DPW standards and limiting permit effectiveness to the current ownership arrangement: the permit applies while the townhouse and 72 Center remain commonly owned or if a legally binding agreement is recorded that preserves the dining use in the event of a sale. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Speakers from the public spoke in support, noting the proposal would enliven downtown and provide quieter dining. The board asked staff to ensure parking bureau and building-department follow-up on maneuverability and any grandfathered tenant parking status.
