By Angela Marshall
Members of the village's Zoning Board of Appeals aren't too fond of it, either. After zoning board members realized in May that the restaurant had failed to comply with conditions set by the board three years ago, Taco Bell was given another month to put them in place. But when Taco Bell reps came back on June 11, signs were still missing, the garbage dumpster was lacking a properly closing lid and other violations remained unanswered.
Because part of Taco Bell's parking lot is located in Residence A zone, the business must go to the zoning board for permission to continue to allow parking there. The board can extend the parking permits for up to three years.
After seeing the restaurant's garbage area Òliterally overflowing the night before, zoning board member Elliott Winograd was ready to vote in favor of denying any renewal.
While other board members were also unhappy, they agreed to give Taco Bell one more month to bring its parking lot into compliance.
Taco Bell representatives said the garbage dumpster is emptied twice a week, which zoning Chairman Jeff Greenfield called Òtotally insufficient. He asked them to increase pickup to at least three times a week, and the representatives agreed.
Three neighbors came down to complain about the missing signs and garbage they find strewn across their property. One of the missing signs is supposed to indicate that eight spaces backing up to private residences are to be used by employees only. Neighbors said customers park there, get out of their cars to talk and dump their trash over the wall. Although the drive-through window closes at 11:30 p.m., the restaurant is open to 1 a.m.
The Taco Bell attorney said he had invoices to show that the business was trying to comply.
The hearing will continue on July 23, and board members told Taco Bell there will be no more excuses.
