Planners OK request for restaurant

The site was a restaurant several years ago.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city planning board is recommending council approve a zone change for a proposed new restaurant on Hillman Street.
The board approved a request Tuesday from Lisa Maiden to change the zoning at 2156 Hillman from family residential to community business. City council has the final say.
Maiden wants to level two buildings on the site and construct a family-owned barbecue restaurant. The site was a restaurant several years ago before going out of business.
Several members affiliated with a nearby church objected, saying the activity surrounding a restaurant would be a nuisance to the neighborhood. Planning board members said a new restaurant likely would improve the area.
The board, which also functions as the city zoning appeals board, granted a variance to allow a lottery booth at Canfield and Meridian Roads.
The board approved reducing the required setback from 25 feet to 15 feet so Gary Bueno could open the 8-by-10-foot lottery and cigarette booth.
There was some concern on the board about traffic patterns. The booth is in a lot that includes a gas station and a Sparkle Market.