A special permit application from one of the summer’s most controversial story lines—the village of Mamaroneck’s Ralph’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream—inches toward approval after undergoing a special permit process and retroactive site plan review.
Though a decision on the store, which came under fire from area residents this summer after its introduction to East Boston Post Road sparked an explosion in traffic and noise on surrounding residential streets, was slated for Dec. 14, an adjournment will push any determination into early January.
According to Barry Weprin, chairman of the zoning board, among the remaining key issues for the board to consider will be the shop’s use of outdoor seating, which residents have blamed for exacerbating noise in the area; specifically, whether or not the shop will be required to seek a variance.
Additionally, according to a letter sent to the Planning Board and Village Manager Richard Slingerland from attorneys representing Scott Rosenberg, Ralph’s owner, he will introduce a new lighting proposal for the store after complaints from residents who claimed the current lighting is disruptive.
Since a zoning appeal spurred by residents from streets adjacent to the shop—which was responsible for sending Ralph’s, which first opened in May, to undergo a special permit application retroactively—Rosenberg has added curbing and striping to the shop’s parking lot in an attempt to remedy dangerous traffic conditions.
While Rosenberg has also asked that hours of operation for the shop be extended—currently Ralph’s is allowed to operate until 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 p.m. on weekends—Weprin said that the zoning board has yet to discuss whether or not those hours would be extended.
The controversy over Ralph’s was sparked in June after residents complained to the village Board of Trustees of increased noise and parking congestion as a result of the business’ booming sales.
The business, residents claimed, did not go through proper planning procedure and was allowed to open up shop without a site plan review or proper notice to surrounding residents.
After an appeal was launched in July by residents, the zoning board determined that Ralph’s had in fact skirted proper zoning and planning procedure and was mistakenly classified as a retail establishment instead of a fast food establishment. Subsequently, the store was forced to apply for a special permit in August or shut down and was allowed to operate on an interim basis with dialed back hours of operation.
Though Rosenberg, a Long Island resident, threatened to sue the village if Ralph’s operations were closed, no suit was ever filed.
Rosenberg has since expressed interest in opening up additional stores in Westchester County, specifically in North Castle; about 10 miles away from the county’s first-ever Ralph’s location in Mamaroneck.
Weprin said that a decision on Ralph’s special permit application will likely take place during the zoning board’s Jan. 3 meeting, but may not be approved until February after a resolution is drafted by the village attorney.
