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Planning Commission clears downtown juice bar with parking waivers and conditions
Summary
The commission approved conversion of office space at 158 North Division Street into a 500‑sq‑ft juice bar with seating for 16, granting parking waivers and a loading waiver while requiring plan clarifications on bulk requirements, queuing and accessibility before building permits are issued.
The Planning Commission granted final site‑plan approval and parking waivers for a proposed juice and waffle shop at 158 North Division Street after a public hearing. Planner Liz Axelson told commissioners the project involves a 500‑square‑foot tenant retrofit with up to 16 seats and no land disturbance; the applicant demonstrated a net increase of two parking spaces in parking calculations but sought waivers for off‑street spaces and loading requirements. Architect JB Hernandez said the retrofit is minor, deliveries will be small‑van or owner pickup, and no exterior changes were proposed.
Board members focused on public access — flagging a front‑door step and recommending temporary or removable ramps for accessibility — loading/unloading constraints on a busy downtown street, and a queuing plan to ensure customers wait on site or in cars rather than blocking sidewalks. The commission deemed the action Type II under SEQR and approved final site plan with waivers and the staff conditions, including a plan notation governing unloading parameters and demonstration of bulk requirements on the final plan submission.
