City planning staff presented initial bistro screenings for two applicants: Tuuta (168 W. Maple) and Snap Taco (126 S. Old Woodward). The bistro ordinance limits interior seating to 65 and envisions outdoor dining as part of the qualification to allow certain liquor-license uses. Staff said both applicants could pursue planning-board review and potential special land-use permits if the commission permits them to move forward.

Commissioners and staff focused on practical constraints: narrow sidewalks, ADA ramps, nearby crossings, availability of platform placement in angled-parking blocks, and safety around major intersections. Tuuta representatives said they would reduce interior seating from about 80 to the 65-seat maximum and had discussed options for outdoor seating and a possible garage-door-style opening. Snap Taco’s team described plans that might provide 2–4 outdoor seats worst case and up to 15 in a best-case platform scenario, and noted plans to coordinate with their landlord for adjacent parking/platform possibilities.

Several commissioners emphasized the original intent of Birmingham’s bistro policy — to encourage smaller restaurants and activate the streetscape — while warning against treating the bistro provision as a backdoor route to full liquor licenses for larger venues. Commissioners encouraged the applicants to pursue creative options (interior reconfiguration, rooftop, garage-door openings) and recommended bringing technical questions to the building official or to the Board of Zoning Appeals for interpretation.

Votes: the commission voted to advance Tuuta’s bistro application to the planning board for site-plan and special-land-use review. For Snap Taco, the commission voted unanimously to postpone consideration for 60 days to allow the applicant to seek an interpretation from the building official (and, if needed, an appeal to the BZA) and to return with additional documentation.

Next steps: Tuuta proceeds to the planning board; Snap Taco will consult the building official and may seek BZA interpretation or redesign before returning within the 60-day window.