Huntington board approves variance for IMAC parking

The Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals has approved, with conditions, a parking variance for a group of investors seeking to transform the former Inter-Media Art Center building in Huntington Village into a larger performing arts center.

The approval means Paramount Theater of Great Neck can proceed with its plan to expand the theater from 700 seats to 1,665.

A vote on the variance was delayed in July as the zoning board sought clarification on traffic and safety issues. The expansion request relied on existing parking spaces in town lots to meet minimum parking space requirements. The current IMAC design has 272 parking spaces; the proposed design requires 438.

"In this particular case the applicant was required to demonstrate to us that it could utilize municipal lots in a way that would harmonize with the expected number of patrons," said zoning board chairman Christopher Modelewski. "With the town's participation, we feel that we have designed something with the conditions that will fit with Huntington Village and work safely."

The developer's parking plan includes valet parking at the Elm Street municipal lot with incentives, such as local dining coupons. The plan also provides for a shuttle or trolley paid for and maintained by the developer to ferry theatergoers back and forth between the theater and nearby lots at town hall and at the Huntington Station Long Island Rail Road station and for security at the lots.

Conditions on the approval include: anyone can use the shuttle service beginning 30 minutes after show time; deliveries are not allowed through the front door of the theater; and trailers, tour buses and large trucks that carry stage equipment cannot park on New York Avenue or in an alley adjacent to the theater. Tailgate parties also will not be allowed.

Huntington attorney Michael McCarthy, who is representing the investors, said his clients were pleased with the board's unanimous vote.

"The investors envision this as a first-class experience from getting on the trolley to showing up," McCarthy said. "They want it to be the same experience you would have at a fine restaurant."

He said the developer must now put the finishing touches on the renovation plan and apply for a building permit. The zoning board approval also allowed for a marquee that protrudes over the sidewalk above ground level.

The IMAC building closed in June 2009 for economic reasons.