Council overrules planning commission on restaurant request

Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer

It's hard to come up with the perfect answer.

New Prague Mayor W.A. Bink Bender made that comment at the Monday meeting of the New Prague City Council concerning a request to add dine in/fast food restaurants to East Town Plaza. While the council did approve the request 3-1, it was a decision some felt was far from perfect.

Residents who live near the strip mall between East Main Street and First Street SE had concerns about allowing a restaurant including odors and traffic.

Ken Ondich, acting New Prague City Planner, explained this was the third time an amendment had been made to the conditional use permit for the mall. He noted a public hearing had been held at the New Prague Planning and Zoning Commission's Wednesday, July 23, meeting where residents voiced opinions for and against the amendment to allow restaurants. There were also two petitions presented in favor of such establishments. One was for a Mexican restaurant and the other for a bakery.

Ondich said the planning commission had recommended denying the amendment, but city staff recommends allowing the restaurant.

We haven't had any complaints about odors from the Classic