Two sketch plans flagged for July planning commission: takeout/apartment on Dorenzo’s block and 58-unit senior-residence proposal

Alan told the EAC that two developer sketch plans were submitted for informal feedback ahead of preliminary review and the July planning commission meeting.

The first is a small-site proposal on a 0.4-acre lot across from Dorenzo’s Pizza (the developer is reportedly a co-owner of Dorenzo’s). The plan would remove two attached homes and build a ground-floor takeout/pickup restaurant with an upstairs apartment; the footprint was described as roughly 12,300 square feet with about 24 parking spaces. Alan noted the plan would result in roughly 80% impervious cover and flagged a minimal five-foot buffer between the parking lot and adjacent Patterson Farm as a potential concern. The EAC discussed whether the use falls under local restrictions on drive-thru restaurants; the developer labeled it a pickup operation that requires customers to park and collect orders.

The second sketch plan proposes a three‑story, 58-unit senior living residence adjacent to the Bethl synagogue. Alan said the site is not currently zoned for that use and will require a variance; the proposal would increase parking on that site by about 65 spaces to reach approximately 202 parking spaces in total.

Both submissions are sketch plans meant to elicit early feedback; Alan said he will follow up and report any substantive changes after planning-commission review in July.

Next steps: both sketch plans will appear before the planning commission in July for additional review; EAC members suggested considering parking-lot shade, vegetated islands, native plantings and potential solar canopies as mitigation measures.