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Commission approves Bell Bistro outdoor dining expansion on Old Woodward
Summary
The commission approved a special land use amendment to expand Bell Bistro's outdoor dining to 22 seats in the plaza bump‑out at North Old Woodward, subject to annual outdoor‑dining review and neighbor consent requirements under the city’s updated ordinance.
The Birmingham City Commission on June 23 approved a special land use permit amendment allowing Bell Bistro (formerly the Mad Hatter) to expand outdoor seating from a token four‑top to a 22‑seat patio in the Old Woodward plaza area.
Planning Director Nick Dupuy told the commission the application complied with the 2023 outdoor‑dining revisions that require written consent from adjacent property owners when seating extends beyond a storefront. Dupuy said Riverside LLC, the owner of the adjacent parcel, signed the application and Paris Baguette provided the required acknowledgment for changes that affect its outdoor dining area.
Randy Dicke, a Bell Bistro owner, described the patio as a way to recover seating lost during North Old Woodward reconstruction and the COVID period: “This space is meant for this…a patio destination…a win‑win for us, Paris Baguette and the city.”
Commissioners debated protections in the mutual consent agreement and the need to ensure the city is notified if consent is withdrawn; staff said SLUP conditions and annual outdoor‑dining permit requirements will trigger review and require the applicant to return to the commission if the arrangement changes. A motion to approve the SLUP, final site plan and design review passed by roll call vote.
