Council approves site plan for mixed-use building adjacent to Gilbert’s

The City Council unanimously approved a site plan for a new mixed-use structure on the lot north of Gilbert’s, authorizing the applicant to replace an aging masonry building with a new 35,072‑square‑foot building that will include garage and office space on the first floor and living quarters on the second floor.

Applicant representatives said the first floor will provide small daytime office rentals to offset taxes, and the owner, Mr. Bacolos, plans to occupy the second‑floor residence. Architect representatives from Stuckey Vitale Architects described exterior materials as stone and cementitious siding that mimics wood; council and staff emphasized that the siding be specified as a durable, non-wood product to comply with overlay standards.

Council’s approval (motion by Council member Frederick, supported by Council member Roussy) included several conditions: realign and stripe the parking lot with directional arrows and parking blocks, remove existing light poles and install nautical-theme poles with shielding, modify the drive approach as required, install a landscaped greenbelt along Harper, and screen mechanical equipment from view. Applicant and staff said they will coordinate the precise driveway and lighting details with planning staff.

During questions, Council members praised the design and asked the applicant to preserve a lodge-like character with plantings and to clarify the knee‑wall versus berm options along Harper. The applicant acknowledged the need to shield lighting to avoid spillover onto neighboring residences.

Council approved the site plan on a unanimous vote; the applicant said demolition of the old structure would begin the following month and construction would proceed in spring.