Planning Board hears about proposed Bell and Whistle Café
By Aleen Crispino
Hopewell Borough Planning Board has approved a site plan and variances for the demolition of a vacant one-story building, behind Failte Coffeehouse at 9 E. Broad St., and its replacement with a restaurant of contemporary design.
The vote was 7-2. The two dissenting votes were cast by Peter Macholdt and George Yawger, while Chris Crowell, who, with his wife, Jean, formerly owned the Failte Coffeehouse business, recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest.
The board also approved by a vote of 9-0 a historic certificate of appropriateness for the removal of the old building, a former veterinary clinic, and the construction of a one-story copper, stone and glass building with a barrel-vaulted copper roof and columns.
Jarod Machinga, owner of the property at 9 E. Broad St. which includes Failte and the building to be demolished attended the public hearing on July 11. He was accompanied by the architect for the project, Russell DiNardo of HACBM in Lawrence, and civil engineer Michael Marquis, also of HACBM.
Mr. DiNardo described the design of the proposed Bell and Whistle Café, a name derived from its location near a church and a firehouse. Several features of the design, such as the use of stone on the lower portion of the building and the circular window and arch on the façade, were chosen to harmonize with features of surrounding buildings, said Mr. DiNardo. The plan also includes a trellised exterior wall and paneled glass doors opening onto a patio with seating for 46 people. As a condition of approval by the Planning Board, two off-street parking spaces would be used only for deliveries and emergencies to avoid confusion, with restaurant employees and patrons parking on the street.
The board granted a variance to the ordinance, which would have required a total of nine off-street parking spaces for the property, including Failte Coffeehouse, the new restaurant and a tenant. It also granted variances to ordinances governing lot coverage, which would increase, and the rear yard setback, which would not change.
Mr. Machinga presented a study of parking on adjacent streets that he recorded himself at 15-minute intervals from 6:30 to 10 p.m. June 26 to July 10 (except for the Fourth of July and two nights when there was a concert in Hopewell Park). His results showed that Saturday at 8 p.m. was the busiest time. On Saturday, July 7, 25 out of 45 available spaces were taken, which still left 20 spaces vacant, he said.
There was unanimous support from the board for attracting new businesses to the borough, but some concern about parking and about how the building’s design would fit with surrounding buildings.
"I like this project. I think it’s good for the town, but I can’t figure out why we can’t come up with a roof that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb," said Mr. Macholdt. "I would just like to see something with stone and a more conservative roof."
Planning Board Vice Chairman Paul Buda disagreed. "I think this is so far back from the street that it can become this little jewel that’s back there," he said.
Planning Board Chairman Bob Donaldson withdrew his initial opposition to the design when the applicant agreed to treat the copper so that it remains its original color and does not turn green as it weathers.
Before the vote, a public hearing was held at which 11 borough residents expressed their concerns or asked questions of the board and the applicant.
Hopewell Fire Department Chief Bill Springer said the proposed walkway would pass through an area the Fire Department uses for practice on demolition cars and would also decrease available parking for fire and emergency responders. Mr. Donaldson resolved the issue by suggesting that the walkway be removed.
Some residents and business owners were concerned about the lack of off-street parking.
"I love the restaurant. I think it’s absolutely gorgeous," said Susie Molnar, owner of the Hopewell Valley Bistro at 15 E. Broad St. "I do feel a business should provide some off-street parking, at least for employees," she added.
Byron Campbell said he and his wife have owned a house with four apartments at 14 E. Broad St. since 1978, and as more restaurants opened in town his tenants have had trouble parking. "I would welcome any suggestion that you have concerning the inconvenience to my tenants," said Mr. Campbell.
"I just think it’s an inevitability of living in our town," said Planning Board member Mark Samse of the limited off-street parking. "We have a resource Broad Street is the best parking lot around."
Doreen Kassel, of Failte Coffeehouse, said her hours and those of the new restaurant would overlap between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. which would have an impact on parking. "People will not park far away for a latte," she said. Ms. Kassel and her husband Lewis rent the coffeehouse property from Mr. Machinga.
Mr. Machinga said he informed the Kassels he planned to open the restaurant at 11 a.m. before they purchased the coffeehouse business.
Some residents welcomed the idea of the new restaurant. David McGrail, of 11 E. Broad St., said he had supported the creation of the borough’s historic district, but would "rather see here and there in Hopewell some architecture of contemporary design."
Clark Reed, owner of The Paddle Company at 27 E. Broad St. and a member of the Hopewell Borough Economic Development Commission, praised Mr. Machinga’s efforts, saying they "will spark a renaissance" in the borough.
The Planning Board will vote on a resolution formalizing its July 11 approval of the site plan and variances, including conditions of approval, at its meeting on Aug. 1.

