The Auburn Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit to allow an indoor event space in a mixed-use building at 1027 East Glen Avenue, adding a condition that any event requiring overflow parking must be backed by a contract and presented to city staff.

The developer, BC Stone Homes representative Bridal Stone, told the commission the event space will be about 3,000 to 4,000 square feet on the first floor of a mixed-use building and is intended primarily for corporate events, receptions and daytime gatherings rather than large concert venues. "We don't want it destroyed," Bridal Stone said of the proposed venue, adding the developer expects to own and operate the space and will use valet and off-site parking agreements when necessary.

Why it matters: the property is part of a larger mixed-use complex where office tenants and restaurants coexist. Commissioners and staff focused on whether peak-event parking could be handled on-site and on how the use might interact with nearby tenants and nighttime restaurant operations.

Parking and operational controls: staff said the project generally meets parking requirements for daytime office use but that the specific occupancy and event parking demands remain under discussion. The applicant said they have prearranged off-site parking options and are willing to require off-site parking contracts as part of any booking that exceeds on-site capacity. "We have valet arrangements and, if needed, off-site parking agreements," Bridal Stone said. The planning commission added a condition that any overflow-parking arrangement be evidenced by a standing contract presented to staff and approved during development review.

Outdoor use and noise: the applicant described a semi-enclosed between-building space intended for spillover activity and outdoor games. The developer and staff said musical performances and beer-garden-style outdoor amplified events were not the intended primary use; rather, the design allows the operator and the adjacent restaurants to open roll-up doors and share a pedestrianized outdoor area. "The space is kind of for the community as a whole," Bridal Stone said, adding that Carvela's (a restaurant tenant) would handle food and alcohol service.

Approval and conditions: Commissioners approved conditional-use permit KCU2025-0331 with the overflow-parking condition. Staff said the development will go through DRT review and that the applicant will provide documentation of any off-site parking agreements if an event's attendance exceeds the on-site parking capacity determined by building occupancy and code.

Ending note: the event space is expected to operate largely as a daytime and private-rental venue; the parking condition is intended to reduce spillover congestion and preserve parking for tenants during business hours.