Seaside Heights Approves New Rooftop Bar, Restaurant After Negotiations

Spicy Cantina (Credit: Spicy Cantina/Facebook & Google Maps)

Seaside Heights will have a new spot to get a bird’s eye view of the ocean while sipping a cool drink and enjoying a meal, following planning board approval of a new rooftop bar and restaurant Monday night.

The application for the establishment has been ongoing for about a year, with board members and neighboring residents each having voiced some concerns over the expansion. The proposal would see the rooftop above Spicy Cantina, Coin Castle, and Midway Bar transformed into a new venue with food and drinks. The indoor-outdoor setting would overlook the boardwalk and the Atlantic Ocean at 500 Boardwalk.

Spicy’s already operates a second-floor section with outdoor seating on a balcony, but this would be separate from the new restaurant which will feature an expansive area of tables as well as its own bar. There would also be space for soft entertainment, such as an acoustic guitar player.

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“There will be a second-story addition, an expanded bar area for patrons to utilize, and significant facade improvements to modify the building and bring a new aesthetic to the boardwalk,” said Steven P. Gouin, attorney for the property’s owner.

The new bar and restaurant was largely considered a “go” after the concerns of neighbors were settled. Specifically, the residents of the condominium complex across the street at 16 Webster Avenue. Gouin said his office worked out a number of stipulations with the residents that allayed their concerns. Specifically, the new restaurant’s rooftop lights will be oriented toward the ocean and screened to protect adjacent residential uses from light spillover; any speakers will direct sound to the east; mechanical units will be screened; the elevator penthouse will be built to the lowest height necessary to serve the rooftop area; mechanical units will be wrapped in noise-attenuating material; and items on the rooftop will be fastened down to secure them in storms.

Spicy Cantina (Credit: Spicy Cantina/Facebook)

Two other requests were the allowance of signage promoting the neighboring property, however this request is precluded by borough ordinances. Another stipulation that the boardwalk be stained and freshened was also deemed a moot point as the boardwalk is being reconstructed over the winter and will consist of new timber by summer.

The 18,239 square foot property is located in the Resort Recreational zone and won votes from all planning board members to gain approval since the application required the issuance of a use variance. There were also several routine “bulk” variances approved, including minimum rear yard setbacks of 0.2-feet and 1.37-feet where 10-feet is normally required, no side yard setback where 3-feet is required, and no off-street parking spaces to be provided – an existing condition that is not unusual when dealing with boardwalk businesses.