Grass Valley DRC approves decorative 'chickens' for Maria's patio, delays decision on siding and cupolas

The Grass Valley Development Review Committee on Feb. 25 approved installation of three metal “chickens” as decorative elements on the outdoor patio at Maria's Mexican Restaurant, 226 E. Main St., and continued deliberations on proposed corrugated metal siding and two rooftop cupolas to its March 25 meeting.

The committee’s approval covers only the chicken sculptures; members expressed concerns about the corrugated siding and the cupolas’ proportions and relationship to the main building, and asked the applicant to produce an on‑site mockup of the cupolas before final approval. The committee determined the chicken element is categorically exempt under CEQA as described in the staff report.

Lucy, a city planner staff member, told the committee the restaurant’s patio is in the Town Core zone but outside the historic district. Maria's opened in the space in 1993 and added outdoor seating during the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020; the outdoor cover was made permanent with DRC approval in 2023. The current application seeks three metal chickens, two cupolas mounted on black steel boxes, and corrugated metal siding on…