Council approves Hutchins Barbecue expansion, allows off-site parking agreement with hotel

The Town Council July 28 approved an amendment to Planned Development District (PD) 25 to permit a dining-room expansion and to allow off-site parking for Hutchins Barbecue at 3000 State Highway 114. Community Development staff described the amendment as a request to enclose about 900 square feet of the restaurant's exterior patio, replace an existing wood fence with 12-foot split-face concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall and install a standing-seam metal roof over the new dining area. The site has limited on-site parking; Hutchins previously negotiated a shared-parking agreement with the adjacent Holiday Inn to use 12 spaces for a 24- to 30-month term. Town staff noted an ordinance drafting detail on page 4 that listed eight parking spaces; the council approved an in-line amendment to change the reference to 12 parking spaces to match the shared-parking agreement. Planning & Zoning Commissioner Biggs reported P&Z had discussed pedestrian crossings, lighting and traffic near the hotel crosswalk but recommended approval; the P&Z vote was unanimous with five of six members present. Developer Wes Hutchins spoke in support and said the change will help accommodate increased business. Council Member Dennis moved to approve the PD amendment as amended (changing the parking requirement to 12), the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The ordinance was reviewed by the town attorney for form and legality, and staff said notice requirements for the hearing were satisfied. Council members said crosswalks, lighting and future parking for the two-acre site near the restaurant may be addressed with future development actions but should not be required as part of this PD amendment. The amendment allows Hutchins to enclose the patio and rely on the off-site shared-parking arrangement to meet current parking requirements.