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Alpharetta board approves Hamilton Hotel patio for '1 Day in Paris' with staff review conditions
Summary
The Design Review Board approved exterior improvements for 1 Day in Paris at the Hamilton Hotel, allowing outdoor seating, accordion windows and decorative plantings provided staff signs off on materials and an annual maintenance review of faux elements.
The City of Alpharetta Design Review Board on March 20 approved exterior improvements for 1 Day in Paris, a French bakery and restaurant planned for the Hamilton Hotel on Milton Avenue, with conditions requiring staff to review and approve key materials and maintenance plans.
Applicants Jerome Hilary and Stefan Bedinga described plans for a morning bakery and a restaurant/bar later in the day, saying the project will include accordion-style windows, a mix of lounge and formal seating, shade sails and raised planters to buffer pedestrians from traffic. "We are opening a French, bakery, pastry, coffee shop, restaurant, and bar," Stefan Bedinga said, characterizing the concept as "a little slice of Paris" for downtown Alpharetta.
Board and staff questions focused on circulation and durability. Staff emphasized the need to maintain a continuous 5-foot pedestrian clearance through the patio area. "All they have to maintain is 5 feet," a staff member said, noting the requirement would not have to be a straight line but must always be clear for pedestrian passage.
Members also pressed the applicants for physical samples of proposed fabrics and faux plant materials and asked for assurances that lighting and wall fixtures would be scaled to the facade. Concerns included exposure of awnings and shade sails to strong southern sun and the long-term weathering of faux greenery.
To address those concerns the board approved the application "in concept" but attached conditions: faux vines, awning fabric, umbrellas, sunshades, furniture fabric, rugs and wall sconces must be reviewed and approved by staff, potentially including a site review with one or more board members. Board members added a friendly amendment requiring an annual staff review of those items to ensure ongoing maintenance and to require replacement if elements degrade.
The motion to approve, moved from the dais and seconded, passed unanimously 6-0. The applicants told the board they expect to open late April or May, contingent on meeting the conditions and completing final staff reviews.
Next steps: staff will coordinate a materials submittal and may schedule a site review with board members to verify installation. The approval covers exterior furnishings and lighting only; other permits and any required building inspections remain the responsibility of the applicant and hotel management.
