Spanish Restaurant Gets a 'Si' From Zoners
But neighbors of new eatery say it will eat up already scarce parking.
Easton's Zoning Hearing Board has given its OK to a new restaurant in the city's West Ward.
The board on Monday night voted to approve a parking variance for an as-yet-unnamed eatery at 1054 Northampton St., which owner Cesar Montesdoeca says will serve "Spanish style" cuisine.
Montesdoeca needed the variance because parking is scarce in the neighborhood.
"We don’t have any parking to offer them," he said. "I don’t see how we can fix that. If there was a vacant lot we could buy, we’d do that."
Neighbors say that lack of parking is exactly why the board should have denied Montesdoeca's request.
They say it's bad now, and worse in the fall, when the nearby Cottingham Stadium brings in scores of Easton Area High School football fans.
"We fight the battle of parking on a consistent basis," said 11th Street resident Fred Parris, who estimated there are 18 spaces in the neighborhood. "What we’re looking at here is an overload of off-street parking."
Montesdoeca, of Palmer Township, said the restaurant will seat 50 people and be staffed by him and his family.
The building is a former appliance rental center. Last year, Montesdoeca applied to turn it into a deli/grocery store.
R.D. Frable
10:39 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_cuisine">Spanish food</a> is not the same as Mexican food, which for instance might be more appealing to the football crowd. You can argue that downtown has no room for such a place, but you can also argue that someone should have moved into Uncle Wesley's, too.
becky goldenberg
10:40 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ok for a restaurant but not ok for a senior center. Go figure
becky goldenberg
10:45 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The decision about not allowing the expansion of the home on Northampton is upsetting. There is a true need for the facility but a Spanish restaurant for the football fans. Give me a break. How many employees would have been hired by the senior home. The restaurant says it will be staffed by family. Will they pay taxes.