Clifton council approves multiple use permits and a preliminary construction permit

On April 3, 2018, the Clifton Town Council approved a slate of Planning Commission–recommended use permits and a preliminary construction use permit, adopting conditions for operations, parking and events.

The approvals covered O S A I R Technologies, Core Outdoor Living, Bake and Brew and George Mason Mortgage, and a preliminary construction use permit for Reed Hall at 12725 Clifton Heights Lane. Councilmember Wayne Nickum moved the motions for several of the planning items; motions were seconded as recorded and approved by poll votes of 6-0.

Why it matters: The decisions set operating hours, parking allocations and other conditions for businesses in the village core. Those conditions limit commercial impacts on residential neighbors and clarify the town’s expectations for customer traffic, employee counts and event activity.

Key approvals and conditions

- O S A I R Technologies (12642 Chapel Road): The Planning Commission recommended, and the council approved, a use permit for consulting and IT work performed off‑site. The permit limits business hours to Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and allocates one off‑street parking space for the 146 square feet of office space.

- Core Outdoor Living (expanded space at 12642 Chapel Road): The permit was approved on the Planning Commission’s recommendation with conditions that the location not operate as a retail site with regular client visits or on‑site storage of merchandise; hours Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; no more than four employees on site at one time; and allocation of three on‑site parking spaces for the 736 square feet of office space.

- Bake and Brew (12644 Chapel Road): The council approved a use permit allowing sale of bakery goods and coffee for off‑site consumption, with up to 14 seats for on‑site consumption (no table service), hours Tuesday–Sunday, 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., and up to twelve events involving wine and/or beer per year (maximum four employees on site at any one time). The permit allocates 11 parking spaces for the 936 square‑foot operation.

- George Mason Mortgage (12700 Chapel Road): The council approved a use permit for residential mortgage lending, to operate Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., occupying 2,054 gross square feet with seven parking spaces allocated.

- Reed Hall preliminary construction use permit (12725 Clifton Heights Lane): The council approved a preliminary construction residential use permit for a large disturbance project that includes a pool, fence, retaining walls, patio and deck (over 10,000 sq ft of land disturbance). Conditions include compliance with Joe McClellan’s March 26 review letter, Architectural Review Board approval of fence and retaining walls, payment of Mr. McClellan’s fee prior to permit issuance, submission of all applicable permits obtained for construction and return to the Planning Commission for a final use permit once construction is complete and in compliance with approvals.

Public comment and code interpretation

Jim Fullerton, co‑owner of the Clifton Professional Office Building and owner of the Fullerton & Knowles law firm, introduced himself and argued for his interpretation of the Town Code related to use permit applications and parking allocations; the council took his comments under advisement.

What’s next: Each approved permit carries conditions that applicants must satisfy; in the case of Reed Hall, the applicant must return for a final use permit after demonstrating compliance with all conditions and permits.

Ending: The council recorded poll approvals for these items (generally 6-0 as noted in the minutes).