Jim Fair
Denise VandenBerghe appeared before the Board of Zoning Appeals Monday requesting and receiving approval for a parking variance to relocate Wild Ace Pizza and Pub at 103 Depot Street.
Jim Fair
This is the sketch of the Wild Ace Pizza and Pub that is scheduled for relocation at 103 Depot Street.
The Board of Zoning Appeals’ public meeting also produced more information showing a sketch of the restaurant that will include the original building and a proposed addition that connects with a covered patio. An 18-space parking lot, to be upgraded by ARG, will separate the patio from Randall Street.
Langley Associates of Greer is the listed architect.
Denise VandenBerghe, with husband Chris, presented their request for the parking variance.
“We continue to grow,” Denise told the commissioners. “We have found Greer to be our number one home and after five years we simply want to continually grow our restaurant business. “We want a bigger facility for bigger groups and families.”
Denise VandenBerghe stated there would be more news forthcoming on the future move of the popular city restaurant. “I will announce more in a news release next week,” she said.
Chris VandenBerghe said there was more to the relocation to announce. “You only have part of the story,” he said.
The VandenBerghe's have hosted musicians at Wild Ace on occassion. The new location, with more square footage, will provide an opportunity to host artists more frequently.
As successful business entrepreneurs outside of the food and beverage industry, the VandenBerghes may also decide to open a retail business when the Trade Street restaurant closes. They operated Acme General Store on Trade Street until it was closed last May with owners citing a lack of business to cover operating expenses.
Glenn Pace, Planning and Zoning Coordinator, said the number of off-street parking spaces required for the gross square footage of the Depot Street restaurant is 76. Excluding the 18 parking spaces, Pace reported 22 of the remaining spaces would be seasonal since they come from an outdoor seating area. The remainder of the parking spaces will come from the J. Verne Smith Greer Relief Resources parking lot, which is public parking.
Pace said ARG would be restricted from posting signs at its parking lot stating “Customer Use Only”.
Commissioner Tom McAbee was assured by Pace that patrons of the restaurant drinking alcoholic beverages would unlikely be driving in or near areas where children are playing or congregating.
Glendora Massey, Tom McAbee, Lynn Stewart and commission chairman T.L. Campbell voted for the measure. Mickey Montgomery recused himself as the broker of record for the property. Loan Nelson and Kevin Tumblin were absent.
• Glenn Pace did not offer a coordinator's report.
• Member of various commissions completed their training Monday night after the Board of Zoning Appeals session.