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Planning & Zoning rejects ordinance to require conditional use permits for downtown restaurants
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted 8-0 to reject a proposed text amendment that would have required conditional use permits for restaurants in the C1 downtown and C2 arterial commercial districts; staff warned CUPs could hinder downtown revitalization and affect parking exemptions.
The City of Pacific Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to reject a proposed ordinance that would have required conditional use permits for restaurants in the C1 (downtown commercial) and C2 (arterial commercial) districts.
At a public hearing, a planning staff member summarized the proposal and its background, saying the C1 downtown zoning historically allowed restaurants as-of-right and that the C2 district was amended last year to allow restaurants without a CUP. The staff report warned that reintroducing CUPs could hinder development downtown and might affect an existing off-street parking exemption—under current code the zoning officer may grant up to 100% exemption to required parking for properties in the downtown district.
Commissioners and members of the public who spoke during the hearing emphasized the downtown’s recent revitalization, citing new businesses and events that have encouraged activity on Saint Louis Street. Commissioner Bates, in a lengthy statement, argued the city should continue to nurture downtown growth rather than add permitting hurdles: “If there’s a little parking aggravation, okay. We can live with that. If it gets to where we can’t, then we’ll do something.”
A public commenter raised concerns that some past restaurant permits may not have followed rules; the commenter said that if enforcement was the concern, micromanaging new restaurants via CUPs would be the wrong remedy. Planning staff responded that the amendment originated with the board of aldermen, which had requested the city attorney draft language for possible reconsideration.
When the matter moved to a vote under new business, Commissioner Bates moved to reject the proposed amendment; the motion was seconded (noted in the transcript as “Julie”). The roll call recorded the following votes to reject: Bates, Manharti/Manharky, Kelly, Summers, Goodman, Love, Aycock and the chair—total read in the meeting as “8 nothing,” and the commission forwarded its rejection to the Board of Aldermen.
The commission’s action leaves the C1 and C2 districts configured to allow restaurants as-of-right. The commission also asked staff to confirm which alderman originally sponsored the request to draft the amendment so the Board of Aldermen’s rationale can be tracked.
Next steps: the commission’s rejection will be transmitted to the Board of Aldermen for their consideration; staff indicated they will provide the sponsor and minutes reference as requested.
