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Commission approves exterior changes and outdoor dining for downtown restaurant at 713 San Benito Street
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Summary
The Planning Commission approved exterior modifications and an outdoor dining area at 713 San Benito Street, granting a parking reduction for the downtown site; the applicant said the project will activate the downtown and commissioners praised the small‑business conversion.
The Hollister Planning Commission approved site and architectural review to allow exterior modifications and an outdoor dining area at 713 San Benito Street and granted a parking reduction for the downtown lot.
Staff said the building, previously used for retail and a tattoo shop, will be modified to include an outdoor patio and the removal of an accessory storage shed; converting the site to restaurant use increases the parking demand by six spaces. Staff recommended a parking reduction based on downtown context, available on‑street parking and nearby city parking garage capacity.
Jason Ricketts, a cofounder of the applicant business, told commissioners the project represents a small, family business moving from a food‑truck model to brick‑and‑mortar service and thanked the commission for consideration. "We truly believe this quick serve Asian fusion restaurant will be a great addition to the city of Hollister," Ricketts said.
Commissioners acknowledged parking concerns but said increased downtown parking demand is an expected outcome of successful businesses and supported a future strategy to finance more public parking. The commission approved the design, the outdoor dining area and the requested parking reduction.
Staff said the approval includes standard conditions, and the developer must comply with any future in‑lieu parking fee or participation in a parking assessment district if established.
