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Board grants special exception for commercial kitchen at 1009 Washington Street
Summary
The Decatur City board approved a special exception to allow a commercial kitchen and related commercial uses at 1009 Washington Street in an I‑2 zone, while requiring the applicant to obtain design professional guidance, building permits and state approvals before expanded restaurant operations.
The Decatur City board voted to grant a special exception allowing a commercial kitchen and related commercial uses at 1009 Washington Street, the board announced after reviewing the applicant’s plans and staff guidance.
Missy Croat, who listed the property at 1009 Washington Street, asked the board for a special exception to operate a commercial kitchen in an I‑2 (industrial) zoning district. City code 150.191 and related sections governing special exceptions were cited during the hearing. The board granted the special exception after determining the proposal met the ordinance’s findings.
Croat told the board she intends to renovate the existing structure, use the space for a commercial kitchen to support catering and takeout, and may later expand to more frequent service or limited dine‑in. City staff and the board discussed that building, plumbing, electrical and state design approvals may be required depending on the exact scope of operations. Staff advised the applicant to engage a design professional to guide compliance with code and state requirements before executing substantial renovations.
The board’s approval included an explicit reminder that if the use expands beyond a commercial kitchen for catering and carryout (for example, a sit‑down restaurant), the applicant will need to meet additional building and state requirements and the board recommended including a stipulation to that effect. City staff offered a list of seven design professionals to help the applicant and said they would provide guidance on permit steps and inspections.
Action taken: The petition for a special exception at 1009 Washington Street was granted. The applicant must secure required building permits, inspections, and any state design release or health approvals. The board noted additional permits or a return to the board may be necessary if the operation later seeks dine‑in service.
Less critical details: No public opposition was recorded during the hearing. The board discussed similar review processes used for other drive‑through or restaurant conversions and emphasized a staged process involving design professionals and permits.
