Sheepshead Bay City Councilman Chaim Deutsch, today, pushed through the Council’s Land Use Committee a compromise zoning text amendment will allow the controversial Cherry Hill Gourmet Food Food Market & Cafe to get stay put for 10 years without expanding and limiting the grocery store part of the business to 15,000 square feet.
Since opening in 2009, the food market and cafe at the former Lundy’s Building, 1901 Emmons Avenue, has pitted longtime residents who want to maintain the antiquated special zoning of that area of Sheepshead Bay as a fishing village against the large influx of Russian-American immigrants who support the market and its nearly 100 employees.
“I think Councilmember Deutsch was able to achieve a good compromise,” said City Councilman and Land Use Committee Chair David Greenfield. “By including a reasonable footprint and by capping the number of years made both sides happy.”
Sheepshead Bay Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz said while he hasn’t seen all the wording of the text amendment he feels that anything that can be done to support the businesses on Emmons Avenue and Sheepshead Bay Road is a great thing.
“We have to look at what we have to do to make sure Sheepshead Bay thrives and business come back to Emmons Avenue,” said Cymbrowitz. “We’ve been working with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to help businesses along along Sheepshead Bay Road and all of Sheepshead Bay such as our upcoming May 31st Summer Stroll.”
