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Planning commission recommends conditional-use permits for two Central Avenue restaurants
Summary
The Clayton City Planning Commission voted to recommend conditional-use permits for two restaurants proposed on Central Avenue — a new Half and Half pizza location and Sushi Ai's relocation — sending both applications to the Board of Aldermen after brief staff reports and applicant statements.
The Clayton City Planning Commission on April 7 voted to recommend approval of conditional-use permits for two new restaurant proposals on Central Avenue, forwarding both items to the Board of Aldermen for final action.
Staff told the commission that both proposed restaurants are “compatible in size and use to the buildings in the surrounding area” and that proposed hours and delivery methods are consistent with other businesses on the block. After staff recommendation, applicants answered brief questions from commissioners and described operations and timelines. Mike Randolph, who said he owns Half and Half in Clayton, told the commission he expects a fast-casual model with about 40 dining seats and a roughly even split of dine-in and to-go business and said he hopes to open by June. Katie Trace, representing Sushi Ai’s owner Jen Chai Chen, described the project as a relocation to a larger, light-filled space with indoor and outdoor dining and said the team hopes to open by July once permits are complete.
Commissioners asked applicants to consider Clayton’s Green Dining Alliance; multiple commissioners pointed out information and a fee-waiver program on the city website that could offset Alliance application fees. No substantive public opposition was raised during either item.
Both motions to recommend approval were made and carried by voice vote; commissioners recorded “Aye” during each vote and the commission clerk affirmed the approvals. The commission’s favorable recommendations now move both conditional-use permit files to the Board of Aldermen for final votes.
Community and next steps: Commission members noted the Board of Aldermen commonly raises sustainability questions and urged applicants to be prepared to discuss Green Dining Alliance participation when their CUPs reach the board. No changes to the projects were required by the Planning Commission; the staff conditions referenced in the staff reports (standard evaluation of operations and consistency with zoning) will travel with the recommendation report to the aldermen.
Outcome details: Both CUP recommendations were approved by the Planning Commission by voice vote and will be scheduled before the Board of Aldermen for final action.
