Certainly happy to see Emilio’s got approval to serve dinner after dark at his little but charming restaurant on Center Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, but wonder why one planning board member had such a problem with it and could not approve it.
It’s the same board member who said Center Avenue is “a dangerous street, and the residents must maintain their sidewalks. Really? Has he even ever been on Center Avenue, know the wonderful people who live there, seen the smile on the faces of everyone who enjoys huge breakfasts and great lunches at Emilio’s? Does he know the people on Center Avenue love their neighborhood and do maintain it; they would not have moved there otherwise, or raised their families there for generations. Many remember Zoe’s and did not have any problem when that was opened in the evenings.
The planning board member spoke on how great First Avenue is for restaurants, saying it was “designed for nighttime dining.” Guess he has forgotten how many restaurants there are on First Avenue, albeit every one of them spectacular, who do not have to provide their own parking; they can simply tell folks to park in the municipal lots Shouldn’t Emilio’s be able to do the same? It’s as close to the boro lots as some of the First Avenue restaurants. He also has the approval of St. Agnes to use their parking lot, a two-minute walk down that “dangerous” Center Avenue to the restaurant.
At the same meeting, the terrific restaurant on the corner of First and Center had absolutely no problem in getting approval to close in that lovely open deck on the second floor to allow for more diners in the winter months. They didn’t even ask him how that would impact parking in municipally owned lots or on First Avenue.
And since it was such a busy night with an unusual number of applications being heard, the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club’s idea to put outdoor dining on top of the Galleon Room of the Shore Casino was presented, but had to be continued until the May 4 meeting. It’s an innovative idea the architect/club member is proposing, but it sounds like there will be a lot of questions about its impact not only at the harbor, the Casino, but on the homes on Ocean Blvd. as well. Wonder if parking problems will be addressed there, too.
The Chairman certainly runs a great meeting and members ask a lot of questions showing they’ve done their homework and are familiar with what they’re addressing when they come into the meeting. They’re even polite and cordial to residents in attendance.
Past Story on Emilio’s Here
