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Developers with the popular sandwich franchise have been eagerly pushing to fill a vacant storefront at 73 Main St., citing the high volume of foot traffic from commuters and local businesses as the main selling point for the restaurant’s location in the village.
At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, there will be a second public hearing with the village Zoning Board, where residents will have the opportunity to discuss the proposal with officials. There will then be a public hearing Tuesday, April 21 with members of the Tuckahoe Planning Board.
Last month, developers sought a parking variance from the Zoning Board that would require just four spaces outside of the restaurant, saying they wanted local customers, not those coming from out of town looking for a sub.
Scarsdale architect Leonard Brandes, the man behind the proposal, noted they’ve already secured two parking spaces next door, meaning that with the variance, they would be required to acquire an additional set to comply with village code.
“We looked at a location on Columbus, but there wasn’t enough foot traffic. This location affords us access to more people on a daily basis,” he said. “We want people to be able to walk over, get a sandwich and go back to their office or go to the park. We don’t need parking.”
The developers noted they’ve done their research in the area, and have concluded that a partnership in Tuckahoe can be mutually beneficial for the restaurateur, locals and officials alike.
“It speaks highly of the village that a company would come in and check the demographics and determine there is enough business to be sustainable,” Zoning Board Chair Ronald Gallo said. “I hate to see a business not survive, so this gives solace to me.”
Although there are many vacant storefronts littered throughout Tuckahoe, many locals aren’t eager to sacrifice what they see as “village charm” to larger chain restaurants – something that already has been forbidden through ordinances in Eastchester and Bronxville.
“This application is not a ‘win-win’ as is often expressed by some members of the Tuckahoe Zoning Board,” longtime resident Albert Stern, who has been vocal in his opposition of the project, said. “It will simply displace the revenue that is currently generated by local shops and transfer it to Subway, with an attendant loss of character for the village while bringing in the ‘ordinary.’ Needless to say, that can only affect local property values in a negative way.”
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