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Planning board recommends conditional use permit and approves pergola for new Maryland Avenue coffee shop
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a proposed coffee shop at 38121 Maryland Avenue and approved an architectural pergola and polycarbonate roof with staff to review final material samples.
The Planning Commission/ARB on Aug. 18 recommended approval of a conditional use permit to allow a coffee shop at 38121 Maryland Avenue and approved the store's proposed covered pergola over the tenant patio, subject to staff review of the final polycarbonate material.
City planner Ryan told the board the site is located on the north side of Maryland Avenue in the Maryland Gateway overlay, is currently a one-story commercial building zoned C-1, and that the applicant proposed hours of operation of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily. Ryan said the indoor floor area would measure about 1,200 square feet with 45 indoor seats and proposed outdoor dining of about 120 square feet with eight seats; he also noted off-street parking is not required in the Central Business District for commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet.
The applicant (identified in the record as the owner/operator) described importing coffee from Colombia and said the store would grind beans on site: "Yeah. Yes. Yes. Yes. We we grind we have our grinders." They said deliveries would typically come from the rear alley and that they currently do not plan third-party delivery services such as DoorDash.
On the conditional use permit, staff concluded the coffee shop would be compatible with surrounding uses and recommended that the commission forward the CUP to the Board of Aldermen with a favorable recommendation. The commission voted to adopt the staff recommendation and send the CUP to the Board of Aldermen for final action.
On the architectural review, the applicant proposed a covered pergola supported by two steel posts, wood rafters and a roof of flat polycarbonate sheets. Staff noted the pergola differs from nearby awnings but found the materials complementary and recommended approval. Commissioners raised questions about water runoff and roof details; the applicant said a small gutter would be provided to receive water. One commissioner requested that staff review the specific polycarbonate product (texture, color, sizing) before permit issuance, noting wide quality differences in the material. The commission added that request to the approval motion.
The actions recorded in the meeting were a recommendation to the Board of Aldermen on the CUP and approval of architectural review with a condition that staff review and accept the final polycarbonate sample (color, texture, sizing) before issuance of final permits.
