Mount Kisco Diner Presents New Look

In seeking a major expansion and redesign, Mt. Kisco Coach Diner offered a glimpse of things to come at Monday's Planning Board meeting.

Russell Davidson, the proposal's architect, told Patch that the new design was presented to the board this week. He explained it includes a new facade that involves a two-tone, Earth-toned stucco look and a stone base. It will also include a burgundy awning. 

"So it's going to be a sophisticated look," he said.

The diner, which is seeking to build additions totaling roughly 1,250, will be able to add outdoor dining as a result, Davidson said. There will also be a new front porch with a trellis, along with columns.

The proposal also involves adding 13 parking spots and use additional land: the former Paul's Power site, which it took over.

The diner, which has been planning the overhaul for years, has had several hurdles to clear. The application before the Planning Board because it needs site plan approval. In January 2010, the Village Board of Trustees granted a zoning change to give the Paul's Power site the same zoning type, Central Business District (CB-2) as the existing diner site. The application is also before the Zoning Board of Appeals because it needs an area variance due to the fact that proposed development coverage is slightly above the allowed limit. The ZBA meeting is scheduled tonight. The application will be reviewed again by the Planning Board on Oct. 23, Village Attorney Whitney Singleton said. 

The Planning Board will be working on a draft approval resolution, according to Singleton, but the board will not be ready to vote at the next meeting. Meanwhile, there are several outstanding technical questions that the board wants answered, according to Planning Board member Karen Schleimer. They include protecting residential neighbors from lighting. Additionally, more information on construction phasing has been requested, she said.

"Nothing of major import," Schleimer said about the requests.

Another item, which was a major point at the diner's last meeting in August, involved a proposed relocation of a Bee-Line bus stop in order to create more on-street parking, has "been abandoned," Schleimer explained. The possible change was met with concern from board members. 

Davidson wants to present the design again at the Architectural Review Board's October meeting.