December 25, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Midland Park Board approves seating for La Strada Gourmet La Strada Gourmet will be adding seat- ing to its deli operation in the near future. The Midland Park Board of Adjustment at its last meeting ruled that seating would be accessory to the deli use and approved 10 seats for the Godwin Avenue facility. Owner Fulvio Grosso had sought permis- sion for 16 seats.The property has on-site parking for seven cars. The board determined the ordinance that governs delis must have taken seat- ing into consideration because the park- ing requirements are so much more strict that those for regular retail. One space is required for every 75 sq. ft. of floor area, plus one additional space per serv- ing station. The ordinance is otherwise silent on deli parking, while it specifically Grant permits online math Highland School Principal Danielle Bache and PREP teacher Maureen O’Hara recently announced that the Midland Park Education Foundation and its board of trustees have funded a grant allowing stu- dents comprehensive, standards-aligned math practice online for a full calendar year. This information was sent home in students’ report cards. (Consult the High- land School webpage for the IXL Parent Guide.) “Through the IXL website, our stu- dents are offered unlimited math problems in thousands of skills,” Bache said. “A valuable feature of the program is that it adapts to student readiness levels, increas- ing in difficulty as they improve. Students are also given immediate feedback and question-specific explanations to solidify understanding of concepts. One of the best features is that IXL allows students to access the program from anywhere at any time, including the summer months.” Students must enter their username and password each time they sign into IXL. This allows unlimited practice, tracking, and awards. This page should be book- marked for easy access. “Your child’s teacher will also help them set individual goals, but a good rule of thumb is 30 minutes per week,” she added. “We appreciate this opportunity for our students to have exciting, meaningful, online math practice,” the principal con- cluded. addresses retail or medical parking. According to the ordinance, 29 spaces would have been required to put in tables, but the board found that as a pre-existing nonconforming use, it does not meet the parking requirements, and therefore could continue to operate with seating as a con- ditional use. The tables and chairs will be located on the first floor of the 1,900 sq. ft. store, which was extensively renovated and upgraded earlier this year. The mezzanine on the second floor may only be used for office space and storage. Grosso argued that the deli operation has evolved from the time he opened the store in 1991. He said people don’t so much purchase products as come in to buy sandwiches, salads and other prepared foods and like the convenience of eating on premises as well. In granting its approval, the board stipulated that the seating may only be in place as long as the easement lease adja- cent to the parking lot is in effect. With- out the easement leased from the property next door, the seven parking spaces cannot be accessed.