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Commission approves beer-and-wine permit for Another Cafe at 1191 Pine
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a conditional-use request allowing Another Cafe at 1191 Pine to serve beer and wine with conditions limiting hours and requiring DPW table-and-chair permits; the vote was unanimous.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved on March 7, 2013 a conditional-use authorization to allow Another Cafe at 1191 Pine Street to operate as a restaurant with a Type 41 beer-and-wine license, subject to standard LCU conditions and limits on hours.
Planning staff (Elizabeth Waddy) described the project as a change from a limited corner commercial use to a restaurant within the Polk neighborhood commercial district and recommended approval with a condition limiting liquor to wine and beer. Staff reported a petition of support with over 600 signatures and two opponents who expressed concerns primarily about outdoor seating and potential noise.
Elias Chitarra, the owner-operator of Another Cafe, described the business as a neighborhood "third place" used by students, hospital staff and neighborhood residents and said he only sought a beer-and-wine license and would accept conditions. Several neighbors and patrons, including Robert Beal and Hadi Elhanade, spoke in support of the cafe as a well-managed community hub. Other residents raised concerns about outdoor seating and potential noise; staff and commissioners noted that tables-and-chairs on the sidewalk are governed by DPW permits and that the standard 10:00 p.m. closing for LCUs would apply.
Commissioners discussed enforcement of sidewalk seating permits and neighborhood impacts and concluded that planning conditions and DPW rules addressed the primary concerns. The motion to approve with the recommended conditions (including beer-and-wine only and applicable hours) passed unanimously (recorded as 6-0 in the roll call vote language in the transcript for the present commissioners).
Next steps: The owner will be required to obtain any DPW table-and-chair permit if outdoor seating is pursued and must comply with the LCU conditions recorded in the Commission motion.
Representative quote: “It's become a third place,” resident Robert Beal said in support, describing the cafe’s value to hospital visitors and neighbors.
