Council allows Bear Branch Tavern to add private dining but requires on‑site valet parking for events

The Vienna Town Council on April 6 approved a site‑plan modification allowing Bear Branch Tavern at 133 Maple Avenue E to increase its maximum seating from 300 to 337 by converting basement space into a private dining/event room, subject to conditions intended to address parking and circulation. The decision follows a lengthy presentation by planning staff, an applicant presentation and public comment that flagged evening‑hour overlap with a newly opened yoga studio and the lot’s tight internal circulation.

Staff noted the building has 103 striped spaces and that the planning commission voted 5–1 to recommend approval of the additional seats for use after 5 p.m. Monday–Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday but recommended against including valet parking in its version. The applicant explained that the added seats would primarily serve reserved events and that a professional valet operator could manage up to 11 additional car movements in the rear lot during events. “The additional 37 seats are going to be for parties that reserve in advance,” the applicant’s attorney told the council, adding that valet staff would be present only on nights when the private space is used.

Council members debated parking counts and testimony that the lot is already near capacity on busy nights; some members urged a short performance monitoring period, while others indicated confidence that the forthcoming library garage and shared‑parking patterns would relieve pressure. Council member Anderson asked for detailed car counts; staff provided counts during the meeting, and the applicant emphasized that the library parking garage project and staggered demand should help.

The council voted to approve the planning commission recommendation with modifications: the 337‑seat limit is allowed for reserved events after 5 p.m., and the approval is conditioned on an on‑site valet program that can accommodate up to 11 vehicles in addition to existing striped spaces. The motion passed with a majority (two members voted nay).

Next steps: the applicant must implement the valet plan and follow any permitting and enforcement conditions set by staff; staff indicated they will monitor operations and enforcement issues such as unauthorized parking off‑site. The council and staff also noted that the town’s broader parking study and the upcoming library garage are factors they will consider as part of longer‑term parking policy.