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Planning commission approves outdoor alcohol area and food-truck zone at North 3rd
Summary
The Marquette Planning Commission approved a special land use permit allowing an outdoor alcoholic beverage service area with up to three food trucks at 4.4 North 3rd St. and 143 W. Michigan St., subject to an amended site plan, noise mitigation if needed and resolution of fire-department concerns.
The Marquette Planning Commission on June 22 approved a special land use permit to allow an outdoor alcoholic beverage service area and mobile food-vending units at 4.4 North 3rd Street and 143 West Michigan Street after a public hearing and staff review.
Staff presented the application and related site-plan materials, noting prior cases for the property from 2011 through 2023. Applicants who identified themselves as Andy and David told the commission the operation began during the COVID period and that formalizing it would create a controlled, safer waiting and dining space behind the business. "It's a safer option to just say there's no parking back there," Andy said, adding the proposal would remove about three back-of-lot parking spaces while preserving roughly seven front spaces and add seating for around 36 people.
Neighbors spoke during public comment. Pete Dorwin of 131 W. Ohio St. said owners had previously addressed noise concerns and were cooperative: "They listen to their neighbors," he said. Alyssa Patton, who said she lives behind the lot, asked whether sound barriers or other mitigation would be provided if the area becomes louder; she expressed concern that the expanded area would attract "a lot more people." The applicant said trucks would use on-site electricity and not generators to reduce noise.
Commission discussion focused on emergency access, bicycle parking placement and pedestrian circulation. Commissioners asked the applicants to meet with Fire Department staff (Jeff Bossett was referenced) to resolve fire access and bicycle-rack location conflicts; staff also noted the site plan must show barrier-free parking and updates to bike racks. Staff said food trucks would be seasonal and that food trucks must close by 9 p.m.
A commissioner moved to approve SUP 01-SUP-06-26 after review of the April 28, 2026 site plan set and staff analysis, concluding the request met land-development-code sections 54.1403 and 54.1402. The motion included conditions that an amended plan be submitted to address staff comments, that the applicants take reasonable steps to address noise if concerns arise, and that the applicants resolve fire-department issues and clearly show existing bike parking on the plan. The motion passed by voice vote; the chair announced the tally as 8 to 0.
Next steps: applicants must submit the revised site plan to address staff comments and Fire Department concerns before final implementation; the commission noted it retains authority to reopen conditions for review if neighbors register problems after approval.
