Hank’s gets zoning relief
It’s back to the Planning Commission for Hank’s Place now that the Chadds Ford Zoning Hearing Board granted the restaurant the requested zoning variances.
“I’m gratified that the board granted the relief,” said Lou Colagreco, the attorney for Anthony and Katie Young, owners of Hank’s Place. “The board paid attention to the testimony and agrees that Hank’s is a treasure.”
Anthony Young said he was glad that the zoning hearing is over with but isn’t yet sure when he’ll go back to the Planning Commission for the land development phase.
The ZHB voted 2-0 Wednesday night to grant the variances. Paul Koch had to recuse himself from the hearing process, but board Chairman Bob Reardon and member Bill Mock were in agreement.
In making the motion to grant the variances, Mock said having Hank’s “is a benefit to the township, and we need to do everything in our power to get to yes.”
Reardon echoed that, saying, “The township is better served by having Hank’s. If it can’t expand, there is no Hank’s Place.”
The little restaurant on Route 1 and Creek Road was destroyed by the flooding from Hurricane Ida last Sept. 1. The interior was filled with water and could not be salvaged.
One of the variances includes building in the flood plain. FEMA regulations prohibit rebuilding in the flood plain unless the new structure is raised at least 6 feet. The Youngs’ plans for the rebuild include elevating the eatery by 9 feet.
Another issue is parking. In granting the variance, the ZHB said there must be a minimum of 45 parking spaces. Helping that situation is the elevation. By raising the building 9 feet, there is room for six parking spaces for employees underneath the restaurant.
The board also wants the Youngs to enter into a formal written agreement with the other restaurants — Antica and Brandywine Prime — for shared parking. While the board doesn’t think it has the authority to make that a requirement, it wants that issue addressed during the land development stage.
There had been an informal agreement regarding that before the flood, but the ZHB members recommend that be made formal and in writing.
Other conditions include a written agreement that all major deliveries be made during the overnight hours when the restaurant is closed, but small daytime deliveries may be made by small trucks and vans.
Another condition is that the hours of operation remain as they had been, with final seating at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Hank’s is open seven days per week, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. the other six days.
If the rebuild plan is approved, there will be an additional 30 seats. They will be part of an open-air deck. Bathrooms will also be expanded to make them ADA compliant. The building will have a larger footprint because of the ramps needed for both the new elevation and to allow for wheelchair accessibility.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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