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East Lansing council approves special-use permit allowing alcohol service at new downtown restaurant
Summary
The East Lansing City Council approved a special-use permit for Pizza Walla at 523 E. Grand River Ave. to serve alcohol, setting indoor capacity at 98 and seasonal outdoor seating for up to 32 patrons with conditions including no amplified outdoor music and an 11 p.m. patio cutoff. The vote was 4-1.
The East Lansing City Council on June 3 approved a special-use permit allowing alcohol service at Pizza Walla, a proposed restaurant at 523 East Grand River Avenue, with an indoor capacity capped at 98 patrons and seasonal outdoor seating for up to 32 additional people.
Grace Whitney, associate planner, told the council the revised occupancy had been lowered from an earlier figure the applicant submitted. “This includes 80 seats in the dining room, and then the remaining 18 occupants are made up of kitchen staff, potential occupants of restrooms, storage areas and the lobby waiting area,” Whitney said, adding that the building and fire departments had approved the occupancy for remodel permits.
The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions that mirror approvals of nearby establishments; staff said the recommendation included limiting patio hours to 11 p.m. to match operations at adjacent businesses. During council discussion, the council added an 11th condition prohibiting amplified or live music in the outdoor seating area.
Several members of the public spoke in favor of the proposal during the meeting’s public-comment period. Sugata Roy, who identified himself as a restaurant owner, said alcohol service could make the difference between a downtown restaurant surviving or failing. “Having alcohol service as a supplement really can be the difference maker between a restaurant just surviving and thriving,” Roy said. Jeff Horan, who said he had attended multiple DDA and planning meetings about the site, called Pizza Walla “an upscale, full-service, sit-down restaurant” and urged approval. Carson Patton said he supported allowing alcohol service and was available to answer questions.
Council Member Altman said he would vote against the application, arguing the downtown already has too many liquor-serving establishments. “I think we have enough liquor licenses in the downtown,” Altman said during debate. The council approved the permit by a vote of 4 to 1; Altman cast the lone no vote.
The council’s approval is a land-use authorization tied to the property; staff noted that a future business at the site would inherit the special-use permit and its conditions unless the council later amends or revokes it. The council’s motion also cited Code of Ordinances standards of review for special-use permits.
Votes at a glance: the council approved the consent agenda unanimously (appointments to the Downtown Development Authority, setting a public hearing date for a zoning amendment, resolutions recognizing Bridal Month and Juneteenth, rescheduling a public hearing under the Michigan Land Division Act, and two street-closure/street-use approvals for summer events). The Pizza Walla special-use permit (agenda item 5.1) passed 4–1. The council later voted to enter and exit a closed session under MCL 15.268(1)(h) to review privileged attorney-client material.
