Council pauses vote on special‑use permit for two restaurants at 1351 East Grand River; item deferred to March 18

The council opened and then closed a public hearing on a special‑use permit request for 1351 East Grand River Avenue — a proposal to convert interior space for two restaurants with alcohol service and a year‑round patio — and the council withdrew a motion to approve, deferring final action to the March 18 meeting.

Planning Department staff explained the application requested a total occupancy of 175 patrons for the combined unit, an increase of 21 over a prior approved occupancy of 154. Alicia Wrighton of the Planning Department said the combined occupancy is driven by the building code because the two restaurants share the primary entrance; she summarized seating as 91 for The Morning Post, 56 for Denolfo's and 28 for the patio, and said the patio is proposed to be year‑round.

Wrighton also said hours proposed: Morning Post generally 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the other restaurant typically 5 p.m. to midnight with special‑occasion hours to 2 a.m. She noted prior special‑use conditions remain in force, including a condition that outdoor service must be vacated by midnight daily.

No members of the public addressed the hearing. A councilmember moved approval at the meeting but then withdrew the motion with the seconder's consent, noting the council's typical two‑week review practice and a desire to further consider the specific conditions in the special‑use permit. The council stated the item will return to the March 18 meeting for final action.

The council did not take a final vote on the permit on March 4.