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Planning board leans toward capacity‑based parking standard for cigar bar, agrees to ZBA referral if variance required
Summary
The board debated whether to apply a 1 per 200 sq ft parking standard (9 spaces) or a capacity/fire‑code based standard (17 spaces) for a proposed membership cigar bar in Sir John’s Plaza and voted to refer the applicant to the Zoning Board of Appeals if a variance is required.
Armonk Planning Board members spent the bulk of the meeting debating the parking standard for a proposed membership cigar bar to be located in Sir John's Plaza.
Adam, planning staff, said the town’s special‑use permit covers membership clubs and that the zoning code offers three off‑street parking standards the board can select. He told members one relevant option is 1 space per 200 square feet (which would require roughly nine spaces for the proposed 1,650–1,850 sq ft unit), while another is capacity‑based (the applicant’s architect cited a 50‑person fire‑code capacity, which would translate to roughly 17 required spaces).
Board members noted the plaza has shared parking (about 130–139 spaces overall) and that the cigar bar is likely to operate in evening hours when the center is otherwise quiet, reducing practical peak demand. Several members said the 1 per 200 sq ft standard would avoid the need for a Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) variance but felt 17 spaces better reflect capacity. Jacking between precedent and practicality, the board asked staff to verify the exact square footage and occupancy numbers.
The board voted to refer the application to the ZBA if it turns out a variance will be required; if no variance is needed staff will schedule the site‑plan hearing. A motion to make the referral was seconded and carried (members recorded four ayes).
