Lidl Food Market is seeking to move into the space formerly occupied by Micheals in the Pelham Manor Shopping Plaza, but must first receive approval of amendments to its site plan from the Village of Pelham Manor.

The village board Feb. 12 voted to refer the request to the planning board for review.

“Lidl is proposing some exterior modifications, possibly a cart corral,” said Village Manager Lindsey Luft. “As the board likely knows, anytime anything on the exterior of the building is changed for a commercial business, it is considered a site-plan amendment, which goes to the planning board so it can go through a very thorough review. And that would be my recommendation.”

Before the vote, Mayor Jennifer Monachino Lapey agreed: “I think it is properly before the planning board. We have some very talented people who spend a lot of time reviewing the proposals, giving us feedback and making a recommendation to us. I think that is a prudent course. I would be comfortable referring this to the planning board.”

Michaels was closed by the chain on Jan. 18.

The village board also voted to approve signage for another new tenant in the shopping center. The Pelham Nail Bar is taking over the space occupied by Chase Bank.

Monachino Lapey said there is a “long-time standing Pelham Manor established design criteria, and we use our outside consultants to interface with us and the village manager to make sure that any applications fit that design criteria.” 

“They have submitted their request for signage, two of them, one facing the parking lot and one facing the Pelham Parkway,” said Luft. Consultants AKR “reviewed it and they feel like they comply with the approved sign plan.”

“I think it is great that a business wants to go in,” said Lapey. “I know this is standard and nothing that would stand out. I think that this is a great opportunity for Pelham Manor.”

Earlier in the meeting, Lapey swore in as firefighters Nicholas Senerchia and Alfonso Migliarini. Both new members of the department grew up in Pelham Manor.

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