Taco Bell May Need Variance for Renovation

Taco Bell wants to renovate its restaurant at 570 Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre, but first it may need a variance from the village's Board of Zoning Appeals to move forward with the project, officials said.

"(It will be) a little bit smaller, which accommodates traffic better for the drive-through," said Mike Zapson, attorney for Taco Bell, on what his client wants to do. "We're going through the village zoning process."

According to Zapson, the property is currently zoned for both commercial and residential use. One of the proposed changes to the site, Zapson explained, would move a garbage dumpster farther back on the property onto a portion that is technically zoned for residential use. The new restaurant would also have less parking spots than what it is required by village law — 18 spots when 25 are needed —  and some spots would be located on the residential-zoned property. That's why it may need a variance, unless the project is altered to comply with village law.

"There's an irregular shape (to the property)," Zapson said. "It pushes a little farther back. That's where the garbage can is going to be. Because the property is zoned partially residential, the village has asked for more information."

The next hearing on the proposed project is scheduled for October. Zapson added that Taco Bell hopes to have the store completed by the spring of 2011.

"The zoning process takes awhile," he said. "That's why we start early and work our way through it."

Jeff Kleuwer, spokesman for the village, said that until the case is settled, the village nor the BZA can comment on it.