Board considers use variance to allow restaurant at 1259 North Main Street in Jamestown

The Board of Appeals heard a petition from Deborah Paddock and James Sinatra seeking a use variance to allow a restaurant at 1259 North Main Street in Jamestown. Chair asked whether the purchase of the property was contingent on the variance; applicants confirmed the sale was contingent on approval and said they expected to complete renovations and relocate in about six to eight months.

Deborah Paddock, co-owner of the existing eatery at ATV Summit, told the board her lender has indicated the bank can support the move. "The bank even said, yes. We can support this move," she said. A presenter reading a statement on behalf of the property also argued the current RC zoning (referred to in the transcript as "ROCE") has made the property difficult to sell and creates an ongoing hardship, and urged the board to approve the variance so a local business can invest and create jobs. "This variance will allow a dynamic local business to invest in our city, create jobs, and stimulate regional economic activity," the statement said.

Board members noted that the RC classification excludes restaurants and emphasized that, if approved, the project would still require site planning review by the planning commission and any additional area variances for setbacks or other technical issues. After discussion the Chair asked for a motion on the petition; a motion was moved on the record, but the transcript does not record a vote or final decision.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: if a variance is granted, site planning review through the planning commission and any necessary area-variance requests would follow; the board also discussed conditional language and noted a variance that is granted but not used may lapse after 12 months. The transcript does not include the board's final vote or a formal outcome.