Staunton council approves rezoning request, opening the way for new Chef Ian Boden restaurant

STAUNTON — Ian and Leslie Boden are one step closer after Thursday night to bringing a new fine dining restaurant to Staunton.

City council approved conditional rezoning of the property at 1106 N. Augusta St. where the Bodens, who own The Shack on South Coalter, want to open a 24-seat fine dining restaurant on the first floor with two guest rooms on the upper floors. There could also be two other guest rooms, one in a cottage on the property near Overlook Road and another in a detached garage.

The only concern staff had was parking. According to Senior Planner Rodney Rhodes, 10 off-street parking spaces are required and the Bodens can provide eight — six in front of the building on North Augusta and two behind the cottage. The couple has an agreement, according to Rhodes, to have two spaces on the adjoining property at 1104 North Augusta.

As for on-street parking, city staff identified 33 spots within 200 feet of the property, including spots on Grasty, Bagby, Purviance, Dover and North Augusta.

Five residents who live near the property spoke against the rezoning, concerned about parking and noise.

"I really want you all to look at this with some empathy, not just that this would be good for the Bodens," said Pat Stewart who lives with his wife on Overlook Drive near the proposed restaurant. "Also think about the people who are right there beside it."

Stewart said he was concerned about a possible decline in the market value of his house and added trash on the street because of the restaurant and guest rooms.

Others, however, spoke in favor of the Bodens' request.

Ashley Malcolm is a local farmer who, along with her husband, has been working as producers for The Shack. She said Ian Boden goes to great lengths to purchase locally sourced food from many producers.

"I'm confident that the Bodens will carefully ensure their new venture will benefit the neighborhood and beyond," Malcolm said. "Bringing people in the community together over a meal plus extending the southern town hospitality of welcoming tourists to our city."

Ian Boden said the drive for not only this project but for all the projects he and his wife do is in support of the community.

"When I moved to Staunton in '07, I was the first restaurant to start purchasing local food from the farmers' markets," Boden told council. "There was a couple exceptions, but not many. And we've continued to do so. And for me, and I know you all are very aware economically speaking, the more money you spend in your local economy, the better it is for your community."

Boden said with the additional restaurant he'd be doubling the number of people he employees and the amount of food he purchases. His plan is the move the current fine dining aspect of The Shack to the new restaurant and make The Shack a more casual atmosphere.

"So we'll offer offer a lighter atmosphere, a lot less serious, a lot more fun," said Boden.

The new restaurant, according to Boden, will be open three days a week and will have two seatings a night.

The request to rezone passed 6-1, with only Mayor Stephen Claffey voting against it. The mayor had brought up concerns about the four on-street parking spots on North Augusta, saying there has never been parking there.

"I am very concerned," Claffey said. "There's a slight grade there. There's a turn as you come around Breezy Hill (Day Spa)."

Rhodes said staff looked at that and parking is allowed.

"Staff did see an issue with anything north of the site on North Augusta being problematic," Rhodes said.

After the approval, the Bodens will now need a building permit for a change of use under the Building Code, according to a staff report. A minor site plan, or a site sketch, will also be required and will primarily deal with the parking lot layout and entrance off North Augusta Street.

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Chef Ian Boden's plan for Staunton fine dining restaurant get boost with rezoning approval