Staff briefs commission on Mexican Sugar restaurant at former TGI Friday's; property owner offers easements for future BeltLine improvements

Staff presented a special-use-permit request for Mexican Sugar to occupy the former TGI Friday's site at the northwest corner of Quorum and BeltLine. Leslie said the operator intends to reuse much of the existing improvements but must address emergency-access compliance (including removal/adjustment of two landscape islands and removal of two trees) and landscaping in poor health.

Leslie said Mexican Sugar plans to expand the existing patio by "in the ballpark of 300 square feet" to create a more inviting entrance and will remove some awnings. The operator is the same entity that runs Ida Claire across the street, according to staff.

A notable benefit staff highlighted is that the property owner (not the tenant) has agreed to grant seven-foot easements on both Coram Drive and the BeltLine frontage. Leslie said acquiring that frontage easement would give the town approximately 16 feet to implement pedestrian improvements in line with the BeltLine 1.5 plan, which staff described as including roughly an 8-foot sidewalk and a 6-foot tree buffer.

Commissioners raised parking questions about peak demand; staff said the site meets parking requirements and that adjacent parcels under the same ownership offer additional capacity, though enforcement of private parking arrangements is limited. Staff also asked that prior SUPs and amendments for the site be repealed to clean up zoning records. The work session did not include a formal vote on the SUP.