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Clifton council approves limited seating expansion for Villagio with off-site parking, staffing conditions
Summary
After reviewing Planning Commission recommendations and parking concerns, the council approved Villagio LLC’s request for expanded seating contingent on use of 12700 Chapel Road for guest parking, ARB-approved signage, two guest assistants for busy nights and other site and health approvals.
The Clifton Town Council on Oct. 1 approved a conditional expansion of seating and parking arrangements for Trattoria Villagio, the restaurant at 7145 Main Street.
The council voted unanimously to accept a motion, amended by Councilmember Dwayne Nitz, that allows up to 168 guest seats to be served using a combination of on-site spaces and designated off-site parking at 12700 Chapel Road provided approved signage is installed and two guest assistants are present Thursday through Saturday and during defined “special events.” The council defined “special events” for this purpose as events with 30 or more people.
The action implements several recommendations the Planning Commission provided earlier, including requirements for appropriate lighting, parking bumpers, an approved E&S plan by Fairfax County, and any necessary Fairfax County Health Department approvals. The Planning Commission had initially recommended a lower seat cap (144) and restricted certain off-site parking to employees only, citing parking supply and customer-parking behavior.
Planning Commission presenter Kathy Kalinowski reviewed the commission’s technical reviews and the Town Consultant Joe McClellan’s findings before the council vote. Councilmember Nitz’s amendment increased the number of guest spaces authorized off-site and added staffing and signage conditions; Bill Hollaway seconded the amended motion and the council approved it unanimously.
The council reiterated that final building permits and use-authorizations remain contingent on required county and state approvals, including VDOT approval of the driveway entrance and any Health Department sign-offs. The council also required that signage for both the restaurant and the off-site lot be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Board.
The council’s action resolves an applicant request that had sought up to 188 seats; the approved configuration couples a higher guest capacity than the commission’s recommendation with explicit operational conditions and oversight requirements. The council said it expects the applicant and the property owner to comply with all Town and County conditions before occupancy or expanded operations begin.
