Board approves Narwhals bar at 418 East Grand; staff recommended nine conditions, applicant agrees to proposed hours

The Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 7-0 to approve a conditional-use permit for a bar at 418 East Grand Avenue (East Village), allowing on-premise sales of alcoholic liquor, wine and beer in a 3,766-square-foot tenant space with an 1,120-square-foot patio, after staff recommended approval with nine standard conditions.

Planner Shreyoshi Chakrabarti told the board staff had reviewed the request for a bar use in the downtown DX2 mixed-use district and concluded the proposed operation met the five conditional-use criteria and supplemental-use regulations; staff noted one undecided comment card about hours but otherwise recommended approval. Chakrabarti said the area is well-suited for the use given nearby commercial and residential mix.

Applicant Angeline Klebrad, the franchisee, said Narwhals will sell frozen cocktails, mocktails, smoothies and prepared foods without a grease hood; she told the board planned hours would be 11 a.m.–midnight daily and that she would pursue a liquor license and appropriate insurance closer to opening. On the patio, staff and legal counsel explained that a code-compliant separation (fence/retainer meeting Chapter 10 requirements) will be enforced by building inspectors and liquor-license review.

Board members discussed the legal limits on imposing hours (legal counsel said the board may add agreed hours but cannot involuntarily impose statewide preempted limits); the applicant said she would accept a condition limiting hours if the board desired. After deliberation the board approved the conditional use subject to the nine staff-recommended conditions; the chair announced the motion carried, 7-0.

Next steps: the applicant must obtain required building permits and a liquor license from the city clerk's office and comply with the staff conditions and any building- and fire-code requirements before opening.