N.Y.-style deli to make debut
The Village Council approved a restaurant at Pinecrest Gardens and new regulations for open-house signs, and gave local vendors a leg up for village contracts.
Pinecrest Gardens, the former Parrot Jungle site famous for its lush landscaping, soon will add a touch of New York to its tropical ambience with the opening of a Roasters ‘n Toasters restaurant.
The popular Pinecrest eatery, which bills itself as a “New York-style deli,” will lease a 1,500-square-foot space that will serve breakfast and lunch inside the village-owned park.
Roasters will lease another 3,000 square feet for catering, and also will set up concession stands to sell light snacks, owner Daniel Kaplan said.
“In speaking to the mayor, we’re hoping to make this area the center of Pinecrest,” said Kaplan, whose proposal won Village Council approval Tuesday.
“It’s a prime location because it’s located on two major roads — Killian Parkway and Red Road — [and] when you say the name Parrot Jungle, people know where it is and there is no guessing involved.”
The council authorized administrators to draw up the lease, which requires Roasters to invest $500,000 for new kitchen equipment.
The council also passed a resolution giving preference to Pinecrest-based businesses when the village buys goods and services.
“I thought it would be a good statement by the council that we care about the businesses and we want them to be successful,” said Council member Jeff Cutler, sponsor of the measure.
In other business, the council discussed ways to make viewing of holiday displays safe for residents and visitors. The village has received complaints about trash, damage to swales and car accidents in the past.
Last year a woman was hit by a car in the 7200 block of Southwest 104th Street when she got out of her vehicle to view a display.
“There is a conflict between moving vehicles and pedestrians,” Mayor Gary Matzner said.
Council members discussed possible remedies, including posting police officers, enforcing parking regulations and roping off swales. But some residents don’t want formal rules.
“We do this out of a labor of love, and we just don’t want a lot of regulations,” Dianne Saab said. “I have just as much trash during the year as when I have Christmas lights.”
The council agreed to refer complaints to the village manager and set up a committee to discuss solutions for next season.
In other business, the council:
- Gave preliminary approval to a new law regulating the size and placement of open-house signs. The signs may not obstruct a driver’s range of sight or pedestrian traffic, and can’t exceed 18 inches. The measure allows one sign on the property for sale, and three off-site, but only on open house days: Wednesday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Matzner said the measure was important because “homes are one of the most important aspects of the community. People building them and people who want to move in all contribute to our tax base.”
- Accepted a $25,000 grant from The Villagers, Inc. for the renovation of the Pinecrest Gardens entrance. The Villagers Inc. is a Miami-based private nonprofit group that supports historic sites and their restoration.
- Affirmed a settlement agreement with FP&L entitling the village to retroactive franchise fees.
- Amended the 2005-06 budget to fund a deficit incurred by the Parks & Recreation and Planning departments due to Hurricanes Wilma and Katrina.