Owner seeks restaurant and parking variances at 1000 N. 8th; board to issue decision next month

Property owner Tahir (Tahir/Tahir spelled in record) Aziz told the zoning board Nov. 12 that he wants to open a mostly takeout restaurant in the rear portion of a semi‑detached building at 1000 North 8th Street and needs two variances: permission to locate a restaurant attached to a principally residential building on an adjoining lot not in common ownership, and relief from off‑street parking requirements.

Attorney Chris Movedy, representing Aziz, said the building is a corner lot with two fronts and limited opportunities for on‑site parking. Aziz testified he had attempted to secure off‑site parking nearby, including a lease at a garage and use of a neighboring gas‑station lot he owns, but that zoning rejected one proposed off‑site lease because of open violations on the provider’s property. Aziz described the restaurant space as primarily carryout with room for four to eight seats and estimated two employees at opening.

Board members pressed Aziz on parking and customer pickup patterns. Aziz said customers could use street parking on Nichols Street for quick pickups and that one garage on the property could be used by an employee. With no audience testimony for or against the application, Chair Phil Robina closed the hearing and said the board will issue a written decision at next month’s meeting and mail it to the applicant.

Why it matters: The requests would allow a commercial restaurant use adjacent to residential property and reduce or waive required off‑street parking, which the zoning code normally requires in CN (commercial neighborhood) districts.

Next steps: The board closed testimony and will issue a written decision next month; the applicant need not appear.