Conway appearance board denies Leoni's request to place prefabricated shed behind downtown restaurant

The Conway Community Appearance Board voted to deny a request from Leoni's Italian Restaurant to install a 10-by-16 prefabricated wooden shed behind its Main Street property.

Staff introduced the item, saying, “This is Leoni's Italian Restaurant, and they are requesting permission to place a 10 by 16 prefab wooden shed in the rear portion of their property,” and noted that the shed could be partially visible from the 905 side though not from the Main Street frontage. Staff added that an absent board member had expressed a general discomfort with prefabricated buildings in the downtown area.

Board members pressed staff on compatibility with the historic district. One member asked whether accessory structures on the same lot must “be of the same materials,” citing brick or stucco; staff said the Unified Development Ordinance does not specifically require identical materials but that the board may request disguising or color-matching and even faux brick at the abutment to improve visual compatibility.

Another member raised building-code and anchoring questions, noting the shed appeared to lack a foundation. Staff said anchoring and wind-load requirements are building-code issues that the applicant must address with inspections and permitting.

On a motion to decline the request, a board member said, “We decline this request.” The motion was seconded, the board took an affirmative voice vote and the motion carried, denying the certificate of appropriateness for 332 Main Street. The applicant was not present at the meeting.