1988-01-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . Minutes - Plan Commission Page 2 January 27, 1988 cause substantial injury to the value of other property in the neighborhood in which it is located. Chairman McCauley further explained to those present that a conditional use such as the one being considered is a use permitted in a particular zoning district only upon the showing that the use in the specified location will comply with the foregoing criteria as specified in the Zoning Code. Plan Commission findings and recommendations on the application would be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration. Chairman McCauley called on the applicant to present information on the proposed use of the building and property at 7299 Olive Boulevard. Mr. Darwin Portman, attorney for Ms. Minale, introduced himself and the applicant. Ms. Minale stated that her business, Zed International Food and Gifts, 7299 Olive Boulevard, was primarily a retail business specializing in the sale of Asian and African artifacts. She proposed to sell gourmet coffees, pastries and cakes to her retail customers. Mr. Portman stated to Commission members that the proposed use would contribute to the public convenience in that it would offer an additional location for specialty foods and coffees to be served. He felt that the proposed use would not present any injury to the value of neighboring property because the store space at 7299 Olive Boulevard used to be a confectionery; also a soda fountain once existed across the block at the Walgreens Drug Store. He further stated that use of the property as a carry-out restaurant was not inconsistent with current neighborhood development. The parking requirements for the proposed carry-out were satisfied in a general way since the other stores in the retail center, a barber shop and a women's specialty shop did not require a heavy amount of parking. These stores' customers generally accessed the center by bus. Mr. Portman stated that the owner of the neighboring retail center across Midland Boulevard had no objection to the proposed carry-out restaurant. Ms. Minale offered to keep the store and the surrounding property neat and clean. She would not be serving pizza, hot dogs or other fast foods for general consumption or carry-out. Chairman McCauley asked Al Goldman, Director of Planning, to present the issues cited in the Planning Department's report on the application. Mr. Goldman stated that his negative recommendation of the application was based on his visit to the gift store which, at that time, presented a very limited inventory. He was of the opinion that the proprietor's desire to provide carry-out service was an attempt to resurrect an unsuccessful business venture. He felt that the limited amount of off-street parking would assure the failure of the business. He was concerned about the effect of a carry-out restaurant in that location because of the potential for litter from carry-out food items such as hot dogs and pizza. Mr. Portman responded that Ms. Minale now proposed only to serve gourmet coffees and pastries in her store. Ms. Minale added that it had taken longer than originally anticipated to build the stock of imported items she wished to sell. She now had a fully stocked inventory. She noted that she had previously conducted a successful business in another location for about three years.