Planning commission delays ‘Backyard at Old Town’ event-space permits over parking, accessibility concerns

The Cottonwood Planning & Zoning Commission on July 20 postponed consideration of a conditional use permit and an associated design review for the “Backyard at Old Town,” citing concerns about pedestrian and ADA access, parking layout and potential impacts on adjacent businesses and a nearby church. Staff had recommended denial pending resolution of those issues.

Senior planner Tina Hayden presented the proposal for 775 North Main Street, describing a roughly 0.5-acre site and a proposed 3,000-square-foot outdoor event and assembly area with hookups for a food truck and new landscaping. “Our recommendation is denial for both the conditional use permit and the design review application based on the findings that we presented,” Hayden said, pointing to potential conflicts with surrounding low-impact uses and circulation and access limitations.

Hayden told commissioners the site is in the Arts, Culture and Entertainment District and that the project’s hours and noise would be limited by district rules. Staff also flagged a problematic ADA-access pathway near a striped aisle and a compacted parking layout that could make the accessible route unusable when the lot is full. Staff noted both the zoning findings that must be met for a CUP and guidance from the International Fire Code on site circulation.

The applicant told the commission the layout can be reconfigured. “We can just reconfigure the parking to allow better ADA access and pedestrian access,” the applicant said, and offered alternatives including moving stalls or trimming the assembly area by about 300 (as stated in the application material) to reduce parking requirements. The applicant said he could resubmit a revised parking plan and involve an engineer if necessary.

Nearby business owners urged caution. Lynette Gilkey, owner of adjacent Sedonuts at 777 North Main, told the commission her operation requires 16 spaces but only has 12 and uses a shared-easement arrangement. “So that’s our biggest concern, is what does this look like for our business?” Gilkey said, warning that moving shared stalls could endanger elderly customers’ access and complicate semi-truck deliveries.

Steve Dockery, affiliated with the Church of Christ on 3rd Street, asked commissioners to limit noise during Sunday services and midweek evening programs.

Commissioners focused on technical fixes: whether a handicap stall could be relocated, whether angled parking would help, whether the striped access aisle could be widened by four to five feet, and whether the restroom location served the rear assembly area safely. Several commissioners recommended the applicant meet with the adjacent property owner and consult an engineer or parking specialist before returning to the commission.

After discussion, a commissioner moved and a seconded to postpone both CUP 26-004 and DR 26-0012 for a period not to exceed six months to allow the applicant and staff to revise the design and address parking, ADA and circulation concerns. The motions carried by voice vote; staff said the matter would be renoticed if brought back without a date certain.

What’s next: The applicant is expected to work with staff and neighboring property owners to produce a revised parking and circulation plan and may return to the commission within six months. If the application is continued without a set date, the city may require renoticing to inform the public.