Patrick and Natalie Lynch, the owners of the Skybox, spoke to the Planning Board during their continued public hearing on Tuesday evening. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – In an effort to answer some outstanding questions, the Planning Board has continued the public hearing for the special permit the SkyBox has requested for the addition of a kitchen.
The Planning Board informed the co-owners of the establishment that there are some minor concerns they need to clear up before a decision can be made prompting a continuation of the public hearing to the next Planning Board meeting on October 2. It is expected that the Planning Board will have a decision written up and ready to vote on the special permit by that date.
According to Planning Board Chairman Michael Doherty, because of the proposal for the addition of a kitchen, a certain amount of parking spots will need to be handicap spaces and the owners will need to work with DPW Director Randy Brown on that issue. The SkyBox parking lot currently has 43 spaces.
The Sky Box Sports Bar. (WNG File Photo)
Doherty also informed the owners that they’ll have to speak with Brown about having the adequate sidewalks near the property. Despite the small changes, Doherty sees the special permit moving forward.
“I don’t see any real opposition to this,” said Doherty.
On September 11, the owners of the SkyBox, located on Point Grove Rd., first came to the Planning Board proposing the addition of a kitchen. Having owned the bar for more than 10 years, Patrick and Natalie Lynch were granted a temporary permit by the town in 2009 to construct a kitchen, but never went through with it due to financial reasons and in 2013 the food permit was pulled.
Since 2013, the SkyBox has been strictly a bar that has served alcohol with only chips for food. Recently, the Lynch’s had the opportunity to expand their business and are looking at using a 200 sq. ft. area within the building that is currently part of the bar area, but is dead space.
“It allows us to serve food and grow in the community,” said Patrick Lynch. “It’s always been our goal to be a full-service restaurant.”
Lynch added that he plans on serving food for both lunch and dinner, and will remain at a maximum occupancy of 95 customers.
Residents in attendance during Tuesday’s hearing spoke in favor of the business owners and their intentions to add a kitchen.
“They’re a family that is trying to run a family business,” said Kimberly LaMarche. “I would like to see our town have more businesses like this.”
Ryan Mullen, who noted he has worked for a number of food establishments in the community, has worked for the SkyBox and knows what the owners stand for.
“These are two people that believe in family and the community,” said Mullen.
If the Planning Board decides to approve the special permit for the kitchen, a 21-day appeal period will follow before the special permit can officially be approved.
