Ivy Inn Restaurant Given OK For Outdoor Dining

The on Terrace Avenue has been granted the okay from the Zoning Board to offer dining on its fenced in outdoor patio area during the spring and summer months.

Thursday night the Zoning Board granted the approval to the Zagat-rated restaurant provided several conditions are met. One of those conditions requires the owner to apply to the Alcohol Beverage Control board to have the restaurant’s liquor license updated to allow alcohol to be served on the outside of the property.

Before approval was granted, the restaurant and property owner, John Zaorski addressed concerns and questions from the Zoning Board members in regards to whether this outdoor dining option could possibly impact the neighborhood. 

Zaorski explained that the outdoor dining area would be contained to the small patio that sits next to the building on the left hand side. His plans are to add about six to eight tables with umbrellas and there would be no more than 2 to 3 people per table as the restaurant predominantly caters to couples. Customers would be able to access the area through an outside gate on the patio or through the restaurant building. 

Zaorski stated that business tends to be slow during the summer months and did not anticipate the new dining option to cause an impact on parking. However it was recommended by the Zoning Board that a number of tables be removed from the indoor dining room to make up for the additional outdoor seating. A parking variance would have been needed if the restaurant’s seating capacity were to increase, explained board attorney Joe Rotolo.

In addition, the Zoning Board also recommended that a storage container which sits on the property be removed as it could create three additional parking spots to accommodate patrons. 

Some residents whose properties are near the restaurant building came forward with concerns regarding noise.  Resident Jeanne Altamura was concerned that people may “carry on” drinking and eating outdoors at night. Zaorski stated that his restaurant does not offer that type of environment adding that he and his staff would monitor noise levels.

The restaurant will need to comply with the borough’s outdoor dining ordinance which states that food and beverage can not be served past 10:30 p.m., Zoning Board Chairman William Kremer said.

Zaorski addressed questions regarding lighting on the outdoor patio which he says will be kept dim for a romantic setting.

Smoking will not be allowed on the outdoor patio, Zaorski said. He said he will continue to allow patrons to smoke in an outdoor area at the back of the restaurant. 

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