River Heights couple opposes extra-large pizzeria

A high-endRiver Heights pizzeria that once had to fight for the right to have a patio is the subject of another appeal at city hall.

On Thursday, city council's appeals committee will review a Board of Adjustment decision to allow Academy Road's Pizzeria Gusto to expand into a storefront in the same building it already occupies.

Pizzeria Gusto had to apply for permission to expand because the total amount of space it plans to occupy is 2,856 square feet more than 350 square feet overthe usual limit for a restaurant on this stretch of Academy Road.

In a letter to the city clerk, nearby residents Margaret and Murray Derraughsay the proposed expansion will exacerbate parking problems in their neighbourhood.

• Pizzeria patio given thumbs-up by city committee

Pizzeria Gusto was also the subject of an appeal in 2009, when a larger group of residents opposed its patio. In that case, councillorsnot only squashed the appeal, but chastised residents for opposing infill development and allowed the restaurant patio to be open later into the evening than proprietor Bobby Mottola requested.