Hermitage Planning Commission has approved plans to turn a former Veterans of Foreign Wars building into a restaurant, but some members are not happy with the parking layout.

Parking has been a problem for Paul Murcko since he first brought plans to the city to renovate the 6,000-square-foot building at 3601 E. State St.

Murcko, of Jefferson Township, wanted to be able to seat 179 people. Under the city ordinance, he would have to have 72 parking spots -- one space for every 2èseats. He proposed only 29 spaces, and sought a variance from the Hermitage Zoning Hearing Board.

At a hearing March 10, Murcko asked to be allowed to have 46 spaces, but the zoning board pushed for him to do better. Murcko was looking into asking adjacent property owners -- Shenango Valley Mall and Rural/Metro Ambulance -- to allow the restaurant to use their lots for overflow parking.

While the VFW had used the adjacent lots for years, it existed prior to the zoning ordinance and did not have to provide copies of leases, said Marcia A. Hirschmann, the city's director of planning and development.

Murcko has altered his plans so the restaurant would seat only 87, which would require 35 parking spaces.

Ms. Hirschmann said seating is a different issue from the building's occupancy limit, which would be determined by the fire department.

While Murcko's plan conforms to city law, some planning commission members said they did not like the layout.

Commission members Charles E. Rogers and Dr. John V. Coupland said lack of room in the parking area will present a problem for customers.

"They're going to be backing into one another," Rogers said.

Rogers also asked about the lack of a fire lane.

Ms. Hirschmann said the fire department decides whether a fire lane is needed on a case-by-case basis. She said the department had not been asked to look at the plans.

Murcko said he thought the debate was baseless.

"Why do we have all these problems when the VFW had that all those years without any problems," he said.

Ms. Hirschmann explained that when someone proposes a new use for a building that had been grandfathered into the zoning ordinance, it becomes subject to city regulations.

"I would never have bought the property if I knew there was going to be all this hassle," Murcko said.

The commission approved the land development plan contingent upon review by the police and fire departments and city staff.