The Harrison Planning Commission on Jan. 13 approved a zoning and use permit for a combined record store and soda shop at 231 Harrison Avenue, Suite 3, after staff said the downtown redevelopment district allows restaurants and retail under Section 11-43 of the City of Harrison zoning regulations.

Planning/building staff told the commission the proposed use fits the downtown strategic plan and the regulations "which allows restaurants, pubs, ice cream parlors, or coffee shops without drive-through facilities and sale of goods and products at retail as a permitted use," and recommended several conditions if the commission approved the application. Those conditions included requiring residential-style trash containers for disposal, review and approval for any future dumpster, and separate building or zoning permits for interior or exterior improvements, landscaping, lighting and business signs.

An applicant representative (not named in the record) confirmed the business will serve about 30 soda varieties and mocktails and described the soda component as an old-fashioned or "soda jerk"–style offering. A commissioner who spoke in favor said the concept would "provide a change up in the different stuff down there" and moved to approve; another commissioner seconded the motion.

The permit passed on a roll-call vote: Mr. McMurdo, Mr. Dole, Mr. Graff, Mayor Grubbs and Miss Knock voted in favor. Commissioners congratulated the applicant after the vote. Planning staff noted that use of a mobile tap trailer on the patio for special events will require additional zoning and parking permits on a per-event basis and that no signage was submitted with the application, so any signs will require a separate permit and review.

The commission also approved the Dec. 9 meeting minutes (with Ms. Stock and Mr. Dole recorded as abstaining) and adjourned the meeting shortly after the zoning decision.

No date was set for further action on this permit; the application moves forward under the Building and Zoning Department's permit review processes.