The owner of a shopping center at 380 Downing Drive in Yorktown Heights wants to divide a space formerly occupied by the Turco’s Super Ranch, which subsequently became an Uncle Giuseppe’s market when Uncle Giuseppe’s acquired Turco’s, so that it can be used by three businesses.
380 Downing Drive LLC plans for two of the spaces to be used by retailers and the third space to be used by a restaurant. The shopping center is on a 3.8-acres parcel.
Joseph Riina of Site Design Consultants based in Yorktown Heights presented plans for dividing the supermarket space to the Yorktown Planning Board. He said that in addition to dividing the former supermarket space into three separate units, there would be a new loading dock, parking improvements, and an updated building façade with signage for each of the new businesses.
Riina said that all details of the plan have not been worked out but he did want to begin the approval process by bringing the proposal before the board.
“As part of this proposed renovation, the facade of those stores will be updated by removing the bowed roof section and constructing new storefronts,” Riina told the Planning Board. “The rear of the building will receive a new addition which will provide a loading area for one of the new store units. This addition will require a setback variance. The parking lot will also be modified where the entrance on Veteran’s Road, closest to Downing Drive will be eliminated and relocated to be in alignment with the main driveway which traverses the front of the building.”
Riina said that leases have been signed for the new businesses and one of them is Torrco, which is a plumbing, piping, HVAC and kitchen and bath supply company and also operates bath, kitchen and lighting design centers. It has nine locations in Connecticut, two in Massachusetts and outlets in Port Chester and Amenia, New York. There also would be an auto parts store and a restaurant, which he said possibly would be operating as a steakhouse.
The restaurant would occupy 7,939 square feet. Advanced Auto would occupy 7,540 square feet. Torrco Plumbing would occupy 13,334 square feet. A new 10-feet-wide concrete sidewalk with curb would be installed along the front of the building.
Riina pointed out that the shopping center already has a waiver for not having the number of required parking spaces and the new businesses should not present an extra burden because they draw people at different times and do not have the same level of foot traffic as did Turco’s or Uncle Giuseppes.
Riina described the addition of a loading dock in the rear of the building to serve Torrco as creating a tight space but said that turning movements have been checked and there is enough clearance for tractor trailer trucks to maneuver. He said that the location of garbage dumpsters hasn’t been determined. Members of the board offered to move ahead and schedule a required public hearing on the application.
Riina indicated that there would be additional changes requested for the shopping center in a second phase.
