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Council approves Olympia Yard entertainment venue and two setback variances for downtown development
Summary
Council approved variances allowing the Olympia Yard outdoor entertainment venue at 126 E. Olympia Ave. with staff conditions and approved a separate setback variance at 959 Messina Drive. Applicants outlined design, landscaping and operational plans including shipping-container bars, food trucks and family-friendly amenities.
Council approved two downtown development variances on Dec. 3 after presentations and staff recommendations.
Zoning official Rachel Berry summarized a variance for a 0.5-acre portion of 126 East Olympia Ave. (the proposed Olympia Yard) asking relief from multiple architectural and design standards; the Historic Preservation Advisory Board recommended approval 6–1 and the Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously recommended approval subject to conditions. Applicant David Fry described the venue as similar to his Fort Myers site, with two levels, shipping-container bars, three VIP suites, food trucks on one-year leases and a larger lawn area for family events. "We're very fortunate that we have a... six-story parking garage to the west side of us," Fry said when describing site context and shade impacts.
Veronica Martin, agent for the project, said the developer agreed to staff conditions including decorative fencing, landscaping to screen equipment, painting and maintenance standards, and maximizing pervious surfaces. Council voted to approve the variance with the recommended conditions.
Separately, council approved a setback variance (V062025) for 959 Messina Drive where an owner-builder project encroached to 6.8 feet instead of the required 7.5 feet because of a plans/math error. Applicant Michael Simone explained the contractor took responsibility and that neighbors provided written support; council approved the variance with staff conditions.
Both approvals included conditions in staff reports to ensure design conformity, landscaping, and future transfers subject to specified limitations. Council recorded motions, seconds and affirmative votes on both items.
