Moab planning commission hears request to waive 11 required downtown parking spaces for new cafe and retail at 35 E. Center St.

The Moab Planning Commission heard a request March 13 for a full special exception from a parking requirement tied to a change of use at 35 East Center Street, the former Times Independent building, but did not take a final vote during the meeting.

The applicants, represented by Rebecca McAllister and a business partner identified in the record as Aaron, told the commission they plan a mixed-use project: a cafe with seating, a retail tenant (Desert Thread), and shared kitchen/foodspace uses. Staff calculated 24 spaces required under the city's parking rules (18 for the restaurant portion, 5 for retail, rounded up per code). The building already carries 13 accepted spaces on record, leaving 11 spaces that must be provided or exempted to secure final approvals and a business license.

City staff briefed the commission and said the planning department supports the applicants' general proposal but…