Commission approves design for proposed retail and coffee shop on Veterans Boulevard

The Diamondhead Planning and Zoning Commission accepted staff recommendations for a proposed commercial building at 44035 Veterans Boulevard that would host a bridal shop and a coffee-and-sandwich tenant, the commission heard.

Staff told commissioners the lot subdivision had been approved at a prior meeting and that stormwater review and civil engineering were essentially complete; remaining electrical and mechanical details were outstanding. ‘‘The detention pond is designed for a 100-year rainfall event,’’ a planner said while describing grading and parking runoff that will route to on-site detention.

Commissioners and staff discussed building compatibility with adjacent residential properties. The proposed blue cementitious lap siding with white trim, pitched main roof (reported at 6/12), entrance canopies and a rear drive-thru were presented as consistent with the ordinance’s requirement that new structures adjacent to residential zones be compatible in character. Staff said ground-mounted mechanical equipment is proposed and that screening and dumpster enclosures will be required in site-plan documents.

Questions about gutters, retaining walls and the driveway grading were deferred to the site-plan review; staff noted a retaining wall above a certain height will require appropriate materials and is part of the site-plan submission. With applicants present and no public comments recorded, commissioners moved to accept the staff report and approved the architectural design by voice vote.

Next steps include final site-plan review for stormwater inlets, parking layout and hardscape elements before building permits are issued.