Council committee approves banquet‑hall conditional use at 428 W. Glen Flora with 81‑person cap and 9‑month review

The Community Development Committee voted to grant a conditional use permit allowing a banquet hall to operate in conjunction with a nonprofit community center at 428 West Glen Flora Avenue, approving a maximum occupancy of 81 people and adding a 9‑month review requirement.

Planning staff told the committee the planning and zoning commission recommended the 81‑person cap after calculating parking based on existing rules and available spaces, noting the property meets the department’s space requirements for the community center but that higher capacities would trigger additional fire and accessibility upgrades and costs. “That number fit the prior zoning ordinance parking limits,” staff said when describing the planning commission recommendation.

Several aldermen and nearby residents pressed the applicant and staff on practical parking arrangements and safety. Alderman Martinez and Alderman Bolton expressed concern that on‑site parking (estimated at 37 spaces) plus agreements with adjacent property owners might not safely accommodate large evening events; one neighbor said the site is “not conducive to a banquet facility” and emphasized that guests might park on nearby residential streets and cross traffic, creating safety risks.

The applicant, Mr. Pena, described the property’s current use as a food pantry and said the banquet plan is intended to generate revenue after the nonprofit lost prior grant support. He said he would abide by the 81‑person limit and cited existing agreements allowing use of adjacent parking. “I am okay with that,” the applicant told the committee when asked if he would accept the 81‑person condition.

Committee members amended the motion to include a reporting/review requirement for the first nine months (to return either to planning and zoning or to this body, per the council’s direction). On roll call the motion carried: Alderman Martinez, Alderman Donaworth, Alderman Bolton and Chairman Felix voted Aye; Alderman Hayes voted No.

Next steps: the ordinance as amended was adopted by the committee and will be processed according to municipal procedures; the 9‑month review is intended to allow neighbors and officials to assess whether conditions (parking, noise, pedestrian safety) are being met.