Planning commission approves Taco Baro outdoor container kitchen with conditions after neighbor objections

The Grand Rapids Planning Commission approved an expansion of outdoor food service at Taco Baro on Michigan Street on May 28, allowing a converted shipping container to operate as a small outdoor kitchen, subject to conditions meant to limit noise, cooking outdoors and late‑night activity.

Avery, the city planning staff member who presented the case, told commissioners that Taco Baro’s 2021 approvals included outdoor seating and late hours and that the applicant is now seeking permission to place a container kitchen on the west patio that would serve a small, mostly pre‑cooked menu. "The request was originally submitted through the qualified review process," Avery said, adding staff had received one request for a public hearing.

Why it matters

Neighbors raised strong objections at the public hearing. Kenneth Roberts, who lives next door at 741 Michigan St., said he has "put up with hell" for years from noise, partying and doors left open and urged commissioners to deny the expansion. "If that thing expands to my house, we're going to have problems," Roberts said.

Owner Angel Gonzalez defended his operations, acknowledged earlier compliance problems around live music and said the business changed its hours and reduced entertainment to address complaints. "We accept the responsibility," Gonzalez said. "We had communications with the planning department and we fixed that and we've dialed that all the way back." He described the container kitchen as a small operation—"one fryer, a 24‑in griddle, and a steamer"—and said most menu items would be reheated or steamed.

What the commission required

Commissioners repeatedly asked to see equipment layout and exhaust hood details before making a decision. Staff and the applicant provided a floor plan and clarified that the hood would vent through the container roof and that only a single fryer was proposed. Because several commissioners wanted to review the technical drawings in hand, the commission first postponed the item until later in the meeting to allow staff to print plans.

When the item returned, the commission approved the special land use and site plan amendment, with conditions that include: no outdoor cooking outside the shipping container; outdoor seating limited to 20 patrons; hours for the west patio limited to no later than 10 p.m. daily (garage doors that open to the west must be closed by 10 p.m.); amplified music limited to not exceed ambient sound; and an evergreen landscape screen along the western property line planted at a minimum of 10 feet tall at installation. The approval also required that the container's mechanical and building permits comply with applicable building and mechanical codes during the subsequent permitting review.

What remains unresolved

Some commissioners remained concerned about the proximity of the hood exhaust to the adjacent residence and asked staff and the building/mechanical reviewers to verify mitigation options. The planning director noted that building and mechanical permit review and code inspections occur after planning approval and that unresolved permitting issues would require plan changes or a return to the commission.

What's next

The applicant will pursue required LUDS and building permits and must meet the conditions in the approval. Neighbor complaints about ongoing noise or violations should continue to be reported to code enforcement, staff said.