(7/30) The Fairfield Borough Planning Commission reviewed two eatery proposals at their July meeting, with the zoning hearing board also granting a special exception approval to one of them.

A new take-out restaurant to open in Fairfield was granted a zoning hearing board special exception approval that would allow the owner-to-be to proceed with purchasing the property in which the new establishment would be located.

Although restaurants are allowed in the Village Core district in the borough, it actually requires a special exception approval to establish one.

The zoning board granted Candace Miller a special exception to permit that would allow Miller to proceed with the purchase of the existing store which presently houses A&D Professional Tax Service. The tax service will remain in business at that location until Miller is ready to renovate the structure for her eatery.

The sale of the property to Miller was conditioned on squiring special exception approval.

Miller is also proposing the construction of a ‘sno-ball shack’ at the rear of the property, and a covered pavilion to offer outdoor seating for customers. Additional approvals would be required before the eatery could actually open.

Additionally, Graham Larkin, who owns 19 East Main Street, sought initial information regarding a proposal to establish what he described as a ‘tea house’ that would be created at his Main Street property, where his family presently resides.

Larkin informed the commission that he and his wife are in the process of renovating their home, and were potentially interested in operating a tearoom there once renovations would be completed.

The resident said he envisions, at this time, that the Tea House would be open for afternoon service on select days of the week, with a mature clientele, and a capability of serving approximately 25 people. The menu would include typical tea fare, including finger sandwiches, scones, jellies, and creams.

He acknowledging there is parking limitations in the borough and stated he that he has had some communication with the St. John Lutheran Church regarding potential use of their parking lot.

Larken was advised by the commission that, before their members would comment, they would like to receive some input on the proposal from the borough zoning officer.

Additionally, Rob Thaeler, principal planner with Adams County Office of Planning & Development, noted that the proposed project constituted a ‘mixed use’ and a ‘restaurant use’ would have to go before the zoning hearing board to seek special exception approval.

A ‘mixed use’ approval, in this case, would be required because the building would be serving as a residence and an eatery, and permission for a ‘restaurant use’ would require a "special exception" approval because it would be located in the Village Core.