Planning board approves special exception to allow weekend farm-to-table cafe at 28143 SW 46th Ave

The City of Newberry Planning & Zoning Board on Feb. 3 adopted a resolution permitting a small-scale rural event center and farm-to-table café at 28143 Southwest 46th Avenue, approving a special-exception request by property owner Dr. Fawzi Ibrahim with conditions from staff.

The board voted to adopt Resolution 2024-51, which authorizes the special-exception use in an Agricultural A zoning district with limitations on hours, parking, amplified music, and other operational rules. Community Development staff recommended approval with conditions; the board’s motion to adopt carried on a unanimous voice vote.

The property owner, Dr. Fawzi Ibrahim, told the board the proposal is intended as a retirement project and an extension of an existing U-pick operation. He said the weekend café would use primarily on-farm products and offer a limited menu of three to four items, including vegetarian options and a small selection of smoked chicken, kebab and lamb. "We will not allow any alcoholic beverages on the property," Ibrahim said, adding the intent to provide educational opportunities for school groups and neighbors.

John Paul Perez of the Community Development Department summarized staff findings and the recommended motion, describing the use as a small-scale rural event center tailored to the application and noting required permits for food service and restroom facilities. Perez told the board staff had negotiated conditions with the applicant and recommended the Board of Adjustment adopt the resolution with those conditions.

Key conditions adopted with the resolution include: hours limited to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; one ADA parking stall and 14 total parking stalls in a gravel lot as proposed; prohibition on outdoor amplified music and lighting that causes glare for neighbors; prohibition on gatherings under existing structures that lack a city building permit; requirement to obtain and maintain all applicable state and local permits and business tax receipts; and a rule that discontinuing the use for six months will terminate the authorization. Staff also required the applicant to notify the city within 14 days if any state or other permit is revoked.

Neighbors who spoke during the quasi-judicial public comment period expressed support. Monica LaRue said of Ibrahim, "He's always been a wonderful neighbor and a wonderful human." Maria Kelly, speaking for herself and surrounding neighbors, said the proposal "aligns perfectly with the values of our agricultural community" and praised the project's emphasis on local food, sustainability and education. Other neighbors called the plan a compatible agritourism use that would support the local economy and draw visitors to Newberry.

Board members questioned how often the café would operate and whether larger events or amplified music might be allowed in the future. Ibrahim and staff said the applicant plans to operate most weekends for roughly 10 months a year (with December and January likely inactive) and that the application does not intend large-scale events or live amplified music. Perez explained that any intensification of the use — for example, additional parking, permanent off-site signage, or expansion of services — would require returning to the Board of Adjustment for review.

During deliberations, the board added administrative direction to staff to coordinate a timeline so the applicant’s required state permits and building work (notably restrooms) can be aligned with the six-month establishment period in the code, to avoid a scenario where a late permit could create a need for reapplication. Perez noted the city cannot delay its decision pending approvals from other agencies but added a condition requiring the applicant to obtain all necessary permits and to notify the city if any such permit is revoked.

Board member Polo moved to adopt staff’s recommended resolution and conditions; Board member Parker seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

The action transfers only to the applicant and not automatically to a future owner: staff confirmed the special-exception authorization is tied to the approved applicant and would not transfer to a subsequent owner without further board action.

The board closed the quasi-judicial hearing after the vote and proceeded to routine agenda items.