New Exercise Facility Approved in Mt. Kisco Despite Parking Debate
The Mount Kisco Planning Board last week approved a new exercise facility but fewer patrons will be allowed initially during certain hours because officials maintained there could be parking concerns.
The planning board amended the change of use for the property at 145 Kisco Ave. to allow for the operation of Flywheel, a physical training studio. The facility will use 13,000 square feet of the 24,000-square-foot structure, with 89 parking spaces available for the entire building. The site was vacated by the Mount Kisco Athletic Club several years ago.
Planning board members said they wanted to limit the number of visitors that could exercise at Flywheel during the early morning and evening hours. They asked the applicant to return in five months time so the board can evaluate whether there is sufficient parking before agreeing to the originally requested capacity.
Michael Zarin, an attorney representing applicant 145 Kisco Ave. Corp., said his client wanted to be able to have 60 patrons come to Flywheel between 5:30 and 8:15 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. Zarin said he understood there need to be a 32-customer limit during the rest of the day.
He said there was adequate parking available during the early morning and evening hours because the other businesses in the building did not use parking spaces at those times.
However, planning board members disagreed with Zarin. Board Chairman Joseph Cosentino said Flywheel should be limited to 45 patrons after 5:30 p.m. The facility will have a 32-patron maximum the during the remaining traditional workday hours to assure adequate parking for the building, he said.
Planning board member Ralph Vigliotti said the board should only agree to 60 customers in the early morning and evening hours until after the applicant can prove for four to six months there was adequate parking.
“I think that’s fair and reasonable,” he said.
Zarin responded that Flywheel needs a 60-person capacity to make the business economically viable. Otherwise “it’s going to be very hard to get the tenant,” he said.
“There’s more than enough parking,” Zarin maintained.
Despite Zarin’s protests, the board granted approval for the change of use amendment with conditions for a maximum of 45 patrons for early morning and evening hours and 32 customers during the remaining hours of operation. The board also agreed to have the applicant to return in five months to get the limits adjusted if it can demonstrate there is ample parking.
