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Session 1661, Minutes March 18, 1996 Page 7 House) requested expansion of the seating capacity to 45 from the current 24 (set at this figure because of a parking shortage). Denial is recommended since it would negatively affect nearby residential areas and existing businesses in the block. At the last meeting, Council asked for additional information on parking and hours of operation of existing businesses and the new business. He said 93 offstreet parking spaces are required for all the businesses in the block; only 37 are available in addition to 17 metered spaces on North & South, Gannon, and Delmar (none adjacent to the Dakota). Minimum operating hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with seven businesses open earlier and six open later. At least 70 employees work in the various businesses at different times, and there are six company trucks housed there. Mr. Mark Cantor, 2250 Whitney Pointe, said in addition to the points he made at the last meeting re- garding a traditional business on that comer, additional parking, walk-in traffic, and hours of operation, he had a letter from Clayton Cleaners (1/2 block south of Dakota) which stated 20 parking spaces were available for the customers of Quality Baking in the cleaners' parking lot, and a sign would be posted to inform customers. He said Quality Baking is planning to make a substantial investment in the build- ing and a successful business will add greatly to University City's tax base. He said 180 customers signed a petition asking that Quality Baking be allowed to open. He suggested it would be an asset to University City, and urged Council to approve the site plan. Mr. Cotton asked what the parking deficit is now. Mr. Ollendorff said this particular business needs 15- 18 spaces, so the additional spaces at Clayton Cleaners, if close enough to be usable, would meet the defttit. However, spaoes ~A block away or across the street are not usually counted when assessing the needs and it is really a judgment call on Council's pan. Mrs. Schuman suggested that the parking at the cleaners is probably more accessible for Bruegger's cus- tomers than the parking lot behind the building. Also, this business is fairly far removed from the resi- dential area, and customers parking on a residential street would have a rather long walk. However, if Bruegger's should leave and a full scale restaurant locates there, parking problems could be severe. Mr. Wagner asked who was notified that this was to be on the agenda and what the response was. Mr. Ollendorffsaid the 12 apartments east of the building and the six closest residences on Gannon received notices; none called or wrote the City Manager in response. Mr. Cotton compared this situation with that of the Loop, where there are also parking problems. In this case, he felt customers will determine if the parking is too far away. He supported the application. Mr. Schoomer said the reason this matter is not considered by the same standard is that there is a special classification for the Loop--the zoning standards for that district apply there and nowhere else. He pointed out that Council and the City must live with any exception that is created--whether or not the businesses survive, a precedence in use has been created, and successors may claim the same privilege. Responding to Mr. Wagner, Mr. Cantor said Clayton Cleaners hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.