The proposed conversion of the former Sam Ash music store into an Asian food market at 1829 to 1837 Lincoln Highway was at the forefront of the meeting. The applicant sought preliminary and final site plan approval, along with variances to accommodate the market within the existing structure. The primary variances requested involved deviations from the zoning ordinance’s requirements, particularly in terms of floor area ratio, building coverage, and front yard setback. The proposed floor area ratio was higher than allowed, at 0.39 compared to the permitted 0.25, which became a focal point of the discussion.

The applicant’s professional engineer, Mark Lieber, presented plans to address operational and site-specific concerns. He stated that adjustments would be made to accommodate fire safety requirements by modifying the fire truck turning template, as well as enhancing trash collection facilities, which would result in the loss of a parking stall. Further, the plan included consolidating lots through a deed and implementing a no left turn sign along the highway frontage to improve traffic flow.

Traffic impact was a concern for both the board and residents. The board heard from a traffic engineering consultant who assured that the reoccupancy of the site would not increase traffic. However, residents voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of traffic measures, fearing that overflow parking could spill into residential streets. Eric Helders, a resident, questioned the validity of the parking study, emphasizing the need to account for local shopping habits and demographic differences that might not align with typical supermarket patterns.

Residents, including Qu Lamb and Bobby Chung, expressed apprehension about traffic safety and parking availability. Lamb noted frequent traffic violations in the area and advocated for residential-only parking enforcement to mitigate potential overflow from the new market. Chung raised issues regarding potential weekend traffic surges, stressing that unrestricted parking during peak shopping times could exacerbate local traffic conditions.

Despite the concerns, the applicant’s team emphasized compliance with existing zoning regulations and the introduction of positive site enhancements. These include improvements to access control, relocation of loading areas to minimize street congestion, and landscaping updates to modernize the site. The applicant assured compliance with professional review comments and highlighted that the proposed use aligns with the General Business District’s permitted uses.

The board’s discussion also touched on the architectural and design elements of the project, with the applicant’s architect detailing efforts to modernize the building while retaining its existing brick facade. Modifications included reducing the height of the freestanding sign and relocating mechanical equipment to the rooftop to minimize visual impact.

In the end, procedural considerations led to a suggestion to defer the vote on the application until the board’s next meeting on October 14, allowing for a full panel of board members to deliberate. The board chair confirmed that no further notice would be required, and attendees were informed of the upcoming meeting’s date and time.