Planning board approves outdoor-dining platform at 135 Pierce (L'Apéro Noir) with conditions

The Birmingham City Planning Board on June 24 unanimously approved a final site plan and design-review application to allow outdoor dining at 135 Pierce for L'Apéro Noir.

Planning intern Amelia presented the application and said the applicant provided the requested materials and owner/adjacent-tenant consent letters. The proposed platform would occupy a single parallel parking stall, include two large tables and two small tables, planters, fencing and two umbrellas. "It's going to have two large tables inside, two small tables outside," Amelia said while walking the board through the packet images.

Applicant David Ash, speaking for L'Apéro Noir, said the outdoor seating would not change the business's service model: "We wouldn't change our service model. People would buy food and go sit outside or coffee or such, and it would be our standard hours. So, we're 10:00 to 7:00 Monday through Saturday and 10:00 to 4:00 on Sunday."

Board members asked about platform dimensions, parking impacts and how the location had functioned previously with a similar deck; staff noted the prior deck at the same location had not resulted in reported incidents. The board attached several conditions to approval: the applicant must submit proposed materials, provide details for outdoor-dining elements (including weather protection and heating), add on‑site dimensions between the building and outdoor dining elements, and comply with requests of all city departments.

A motion to adopt the planning department findings dated June 24, 2026 (citing Article 7, Section 7.27) and approve the final site plan/design review passed by unanimous vote.

Next steps: the applicant must provide the required materials and details to staff and secure any permits or licenses required before installation and operation of the platform.