Planning Board Yanks Westchester Burger's Outdoor Seating

Incensed by what they believed to be non-compliance for fixing issues on the property, Mount Kisco Planning Board members agreed on revoking limited outdoor seating.

The agreement was decided at the board's June 26 meeting and involved revoking a small-scale operation that was permitted while the company resolved a series of outstanding issues for the property, which is at 353 N. Bedford Rd. The sentiment was informal, not by a vote, and directed to the building department to enforce.

At the meeting, board Chairman Joseph Cosentino explained that those matters included having a landscape plan that was approvable, repairing guard-rail fencing, fixing the lighting, repairing a side exit, and "finalizing all other aspects of site compliance."

“It has been months without any of these items being addressed and site has become a fiasco," Cosentino said critically. An appearance on the comapny's behalf was requested but nobody showed up to the meeting.

Additionally, Cosentino blasted the company's handling of its dumpster, which he said had no required closure, and thus exposed items to neighbors and patrons.

“This simply cannot continue," he said.

Westchester Burger Company is seeking a larger, permanent seating operation. According to meeting minutes from April 10, it is requesting a total of 13 tables for the outdoor area, up from the 10 that previous restaurants at the property had. Previous occupants included John's Best and . The reason for being able to add more, according to the minutes, is because a pergola was removed.

Cosentino regretted giving past authorization of limited dining, and demanded that, going forward, written confirmation of the maximum seating capacity be given before permament approval.

Westchester Burger Company, Cosentino argued, is also required to provide all of its parking on site, which he said has not happened. Among examples claimed, Cosentino described people having to cross a street or coming from nearby property to get to the restaurant. He added that interconnected parking with a nearby Sleepy's site was blocked off as of the meeting date.

Less sympathetic, Cosentino argued that the board may need to consider the propriety "of authorizing any outdoor seating."

He added: “In fact, outdoor seating may need to come at the expense of indoor seating.”

Other board members were not sympathetic, either, and agreed with pulling the seating.

“The site is unsightly, to say the least,” said board member Ralph Vigliotti. He described the area as dirty and accused the restaurant of having an overflowing dumpster area.

"Close ‘em down!” said board member Stanley Bernstein, expressing his support for pulling the seating.

Vincent Corso, Westchester Burger Company's general manager of operations, is listed in the minutes as having represented the business before the board. Attempts to interview Corso for comment were unsucessful.

Since the order was given, the limited outdoor seating has been removed. The restaurant has been asked to comply with the board's demands before further action is taken.