Council approves Barrio site plan and parking variance at 5036 France, asks staff to review district parking rules

The council approved a site plan and a variance allowing a two‑story restaurant addition at 5036 France Avenue South despite staff’s recommendation to deny the variance. The planning commission had recommended approval by a 5‑1 vote.

Staff report and variance request

Community development staff said the proposed second story would trigger a requirement for 14 additional off‑street parking stalls. The applicant requested a variance because the property has no practical space to add that parking; staff recommended denial because the inability to provide parking was not unique to this parcel and the code standards for variances were not met.

Planning commission and council debate

The planning commission recommended approval 5‑1. Members of the council who supported approval said the parcel is unusually narrow and small — making on‑site parking physically infeasible — and that the property is adjacent to a neighboring lot with surface parking whose hours do not conflict with the restaurant’s hours. Supporters acknowledged the variance would run with the land but said the unique parcel size and the adjacency to available parking made the variance reasonable.

Opponents and staff said changing long‑standing parking rules for 50th & France risks inconsistent application unless the council takes a district‑wide approach. Councilmember Risser cast the sole recorded nay at the council vote and urged a broader review of the parking code so the public‑benefit of shared ramp parking and the rules for variances are clear and consistent.

Council action and follow up

The council adopted the site plan and variance (motion moved by Councilmember Agnew, seconded by Councilmember Pierce). The council also directed staff to prepare a zoning/code amendment and an outreach plan for the 50th & France district to consider longer‑term changes to parking requirements and possible standards for granting variances.

Ending

The developer said construction would begin soon; city staff will prepare a code‑amendment timeline and engage district stakeholders before any change is adopted.

Note on legal/administrative citations

During debate staff referenced code sections governing site plan review and parking (chapter citations in staff materials and public remarks); councilmembers asked staff to return with a specific ordinance amendment rather than making an ad hoc change through a single variance.