Taconah Cantina expansion approved

By NEAL RENTZ

The Lewisboro Planning Board voted unanimously Nov. 18 to approve expansion of Taconah Cantina at the North County Shopping Center. The plan is for a change of use for the former Bella Hair Salon, next to the restaurant that will allow the eatery to expand. The Planning Board provided site development plan approval. 

David Chiong, the restaurant’s owner, told the board in October he was seeking to make changes to the former salon including the removal of sinks and a bathroom. 

The project will require approval from the Westchester County Department of Health, town planner and wetland consultant Jan Johannessen told the Planning Board this week. 

“Taconah Cantina has outgrown its original space and needs additional cold and dry storage to support operations,” Chiong stated in the business plan he submitted. “There is no walk-in box on the premises. The same menu will continue, with a few additions.”

Verizon applications

Verizon Wireless has proposed extensions of special use permit renewals for two of its cell towers.

Attorney Angela Poccia represented Verizon for both applications at the meeting. 

The first application is for the cell tower at the Vista Fire Department, located at 377 Smith Ridge Road, South Salem. Poccia said the Planning Board last provided a special use renewal in 2020. Poccia asked the board to hold a public hearing on her client’s application next month.

The second Verizon special use permit renewal request is for the cell tower at 1411 Route 35, South Salem, the Leon Levy Preserve. Poccia noted that the special use permit was renewed in 2020. As she did for the Vista Fire Department application, Poccia asked the board to schedule a public hearing on the application next month. 

Planning Board Chair Janet Andersen expressed concerns about the condition of the access road to the wireless facility. Poccia said the property with the access road is privately owned. 

In his Nov. 13 memo to the Planning Board, Johannessen stated the board could instruct his company to conduct a site inspection because board members have expressed concerns about the condition of the access road and maintenance of the cell tower site. 

The Planning Board came to consensus to hold public hearings on both Verizon proposals at its Tuesday, Dec. 16 meeting.