By Russ Tarby
Contributing Writer
The Limp Lizard Barbecue, at 201 First St., has added a 24-by-30-foot deck onto the back of the building, but the restaurant can’t open the outdoor patio until it adds a paved parking lot.
Mother-and-son property owners, Valerie and Dennis Kosdrosky, appeared before the Liverpool Village Planning Board at its May 23 meeting to discuss ongoing plans on the basin block, bounded by Lake Drive, First Street and South Willow Street adjacent to Onondaga Lake Park.
On July 28, 2014, the planning board unanimously approved plans to build a 38-seat back deck at the Limp Lizard and a 48-space parking lot behind that property to be shared by the White Water Pub, 110 S. Willow St.
Both businesses sit on parcels owned by Liverpool Properties LLC, a real estate concern founded by prominent Liverpool businessman Val Lamont and managed by Lamont’s grandson, Tom Juliano. Juliano, 38, died in March 2015, and Val Lamont, 86, passed away in November.
The Kosdroskys explained that, even though Val Lamont had secured permission to build a 48-space shared parking lot, they were now downsizing the plan to about 20 spaces specifically to accommodate the Limp Lizard deck.
The large, roughly triangular-shaped basin block is also the site of JGB Properties’ planned mixed-used development combining residential units and retail and office spaces on lower First and South Willow streets. Like Lamont, JGB received the planning board’s blessing more than a year ago, but no construction has begun.
Planning Board Chairman Joe Ostuni Jr. said the planners now await the Kondroskys’ updated site plan. “We hope it’s not a total redo,” Ostuni said.
The planners asked the Kondroskys to maintain contact with JGB and with John Gormel, owner of the Barking Gull, at 116 S. Willow St., as they work out drainage and paving issues on the basin block.
Meanwhile the planning board is discussing how to deal with digital LED signs in the village code. “And we’re updating other sign issues with village businesses,” Ostuni said. The sign ordinance is enforced by village Codes Enforcement Officer Bill Reagan.
At its next meeting at 7 p.m. June 27, at the Village Hall, the planning board will likely continue its review of the proposed Dunkin’ Donuts site plan at 105-113 Second St.
