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Zoning board rejects Toad’s terrace 

In a divided 3–2 decision Wednesday night, the Board of Zoning Appeals voted to reject a proposal by Toad’s Place owner Brian Phelps to create a 400-square-foot rooftop terrace, citing a potential strain on neighborhood parking.

Plans for the terrace had been widely expected to gain approval from the BZA, since the City Plan Commission ruled in August that Toad’s expansion would not unduly burden local traffic and parking. But Wednesday’s ruling puts the construction of the terrace — which would have increased the club’s maximum capacity by 40 people, to 750 from 710 — on hold unless the BZA decides that the expansion will not push the need for parking beyond what the neighborhood can accommodate.

Phelps’ lawyer, James Segaloff, said he was unsure how the club will proceed. “All the experts [in city planning and parking] concluded there were no problems,” said a shocked Segaloff after the meeting. “I don’t see any basis for the conclusion.”

Although most rejected proposals cannot be resubmitted for 12 months, the BZA also voted to allow Toad’s officials to hand in a revised design next month for reconsideration.

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