Planning committee declines to recommend Jose Delgado’s coffee–wine bar and retail project

The Town of Patagonia Planning and Development Committee voted Dec. 3 not to recommend further action by the Town Council on a use-permit application from Jose Delgado for a coffee–wine bar, retail outlet and family guest quarters on Smelter Alley (parcel 106-35-010B).

At a public hearing, Delgado described a mixed-use plan using two larger shipping containers for commercial space and three smaller second-story containers for family living quarters, plus two small patios. He said the project was intended "to bring people together" and said he was open to community suggestions and to adding noise mitigations and managing rainwater flow.

A Tucson neighbor spoke in favor of the project, while several Patagonia residents raised concerns about noise, limited parking, vehicle access on the narrow dead-end Smelter Alley, a preference for residential use of the site, and the absence of an engineered grading and drainage plan. Committee members discussed these issues and whether the shipping-container approach fits the town’s character.

Georgette Larrouy moved that the committee not make a recommendation for further action to the Town Council on the Delgado proposal; Nancy McCoy seconded. The motion carried on a 4–2 vote. Ayes were Nancy McCoy, Georgette Larrouy, Patrick O’Neal and Steve Finch; Nays were Kevin McKay and Laurie Monti.

Because the committee declined to recommend the application, the proposal will not be advanced to the Town Council on the committee’s initiative; Delgado may revise the proposal or submit additional supporting materials such as an engineered grading and drainage plan if he seeks future committee or council consideration.