Planning staff recommends approvals for a slate of conditional use permits including restaurants, retail and short‑term rentals

The Planning Commission heard a group of conditional use permits and renewals covering restaurants, retail alcohol sales, vehicle and motorcycle sales, and several short‑term rental (STR) renewals. Staff recommended approval on the items discussed in the provided transcript and outlined conditions specific to each use.

Notable proposals and staff comments presented to the commission included:

- Dunkin' (3935 East Princess Anne Road): Applicant seeks to convert a former bank to a Dunkin' with a drive‑through at a site zoned BCI with a coastal resilience overlay. Staff said the bank had been vacant more than two years, requiring the CUP, and that the proposal would demolish part of the canopy, eliminate two drive‑through lanes, close curb cuts on East Princess Anne Road, convert two parking spaces, provide screened stacking along the street, and operate 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Staff recommended approval.

- Tindida Latino Unidos (2354, corner of Azalea Garden Road and Mohawk Street): The specialty food retail store seeks expansion and a CUP for off‑premise sale of alcoholic beverages. Staff said the site is zoned CC and recommended approval subject to the conditions in the staff report.

- Short‑term rentals (multiple addresses): Staff presented several STR renewals and new CUP requests. Examples include a 5‑bedroom vacation rental at East Ocean View Avenue (renewal), a 6‑bedroom duplex at 9512 Eighteenth Bay Street (renewal; prior permit granted Dec. 2023; no enforcement calls this past year), a short‑term rental at 9407 Chesapeake Street (renewal; staff noted a March 2025 violation for listing more guests than allowed and recommended a 2‑year expiration), a 5‑bedroom home at 9602 Tenth Bay Street requesting reduced parking (applicant provided two spaces where three are required; staff noted three calls for police service in the past year — two noise calls and one fire alarm — and recommended a 5‑year expiration), and a homestay at 5715 Carrillo Avenue (primary residence; prior violation in Feb. 2023 for illegal operation; staff recommended approval with standard conditions and required elevation certificate for flood compliance).

- Plain Jane Garage (1012 George Street): Applicant seeks a CUP for motorcycle sales and repair on a vacant site in Community Commercial (CC). Staff noted prior ordinance changes that allow automobile/motorcycle sales on smaller lots if criteria are met; the applicant said barbed wire has been removed and vehicles will be stored and worked on indoors. Staff recommended approval.

- Last C Restaurant and Lounge (630 Fifth Street): Applicant proposes a new restaurant with on‑premise alcohol sales and indoor live entertainment in a pedestrian commercial overlay (PCO). Staff described an outdoor area that, under current zoning, cannot be used as a smoking‑permitted seated area; the applicant requested amplified sound outdoors until 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday–Saturday. Staff said the timing request arrived too close to the public hearing to modify standard conditions and that if the commission recommends approval, the applicant would submit a modified floor plan to council. Staff proposed an initial two‑year expiration for entertainment permissions and noted Park Place Zoning & Improvement Committee recommended approval but the civic league offered no vote due to insufficient membership present.

- Peck and Pour (1310 Colley Avenue): Change in ownership for a restaurant in the Ghent neighborhood; applicant seeks continued operation with on‑premise alcohol and extended hours. Staff said the prior use had entertainment and late hours; the new owner does not seek entertainment and staff recommended conditions to address landscaping abutting single‑family residential.

- Model Citizen Cocktail Supply (Selden Market Unit 102): Proposed combination of retail cocktail supply, small restaurant/tasting area and classes with on‑ and off‑premise alcohol sales; capacity stated as 15 (8 seats indoors). Hours proposed 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Staff recommended approval.

- Big Boss Burritos (905 East Ocean View Avenue): Opened without alcohol in February; applicant seeks to add on‑ and off‑premise alcohol sales, modify hours and add live entertainment (karaoke). Staff said outdoor entertainment would stop at 10 p.m.; outdoor dining closing times were discussed and staff recommended conditions including a two‑year expiration on entertainment permissions.

Across multiple items staff emphasized standard conditions in the staff reports, including limits on hours, capacities and amplified sound where residential neighbors are nearby. Several applicants had prior violations or special conditions (for example, the Chesapeake Street renewal had a March 2025 violation and was recommended for a shorter two‑year expiration; other STR renewals were recommended for five‑year expirations where compliance history supported it).

No final votes on these items are recorded in the transcript excerpt provided; staff made recommendations and commission members asked clarifying questions on parking, noise, capacities and neighborhood outreach.