Planning commission conditionally approves tavern use for 'Whispers' at 9131 Bay Ave., requires scaled site plan

The North Beach Planning Commission on Aug. 28 conditionally approved a change of use for a proposed venue called Whispers at 9131 Bay Avenue, granting tavern/lounge status subject to submission of a scaled site plan that clarifies on‑site parking, property lines and outdoor seating.

Applicant Crystal (speaker 3) told the commission the venue is planned as a day‑to‑night space with family‑oriented daytime programming and evening music, comedy and ticketed events; she described flexible seating and a layout intended for about 40 seats as currently proposed. “We would like that to kind of circle around…this stage where we could do family events,” Crystal said when describing daytime uses, and she said the business intends to partner with local restaurants or caterers rather than perform extensive on‑site food preparation.

Staff and DPW raised technical issues: the building currently has a 4‑inch sewer cleanout and a 3/4‑inch water connection that must be upgraded to serve customer restrooms, and the structure lacks a sprinkler system, which county permitting may require for the intended occupancy. Commissioners cited parking proximity rules and noted the draft site sketch on file is hand‑drawn and not to scale; they asked for a to‑scale site plan showing property lines, on‑site angled parking (and a required accessible space), pedestrian connections and any outdoor seating that would use town right‑of‑way.

Residents spoke at public comment about noise, trash and traffic. A nearby resident asked whether evening events would be loud for homes on the back of the block; another resident, Mary Waspin, warned that multiple venues without on‑site kitchens could strain local restaurants’ small kitchens because Whispers proposes catering rather than regular on‑site food production.

Motion and vote: After discussion, the commission adopted a motion to approve the change of use as submitted but conditioned on the applicant providing a scaled site plan for review of on‑site parking, seating and property lines; the motion passed by voice vote with multiple ayes and one recorded nay.

Next steps: The applicant must submit a scaled site plan to the planning commission for review of on‑site parking, outdoor seating and property ownership issues; county fire, health and permitting approvals (water/sewer taps and any sprinkler requirements) remain prerequisites for operational permits.

Why it matters: The approval advances a tavern use in North Beach’s core downtown corridor. Commissioners conditioned the decision to ensure the town can verify parking availability, pedestrian access and public‑safety compliance before a liquor license is granted and before the venue begins regular operations.