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Commission approves Capitol Grill and Yard House plans for Esperia despite glaze/material deviations
Summary
After months of site-plan review, the commission approved final development plans for two Darden Restaurants (Capitol Grill and Yard House) in the Esperia area, accepting accommodations to glazing and trash-enclosure materials and adding a stipulation that certain awnings or features remain or trigger further review.
The Planning Commission approved final development plans for two restaurants planned in the Esperia development—Capitol Grill (DEV‑2025‑70) and Yard House (DEV‑2025‑71)—after extended debate about architectural deviations for glazing and trash‑enclosure materials.
Staff recommended continuance unless the commission accepted design deviations; the Site Plan Review Committee had recommended approval of the applicant’s revised elevations and trash-enclosure design. For the Capitol Grill, planners cited concerns that glazing requirements exist to ensure transparency and reduce large blank walls, and they initially opposed an alternate trash‑enclosure finish. Site Plan Review, however, voted 3–0 to support the applicant’s designs as presented.
Greg Musil, representing Darden Restaurants, said the Capitol Grill’s design is part of a corporate "Millennium" model and that the building’s operations (extensive kitchen, private dining rooms) do not lend themselves to 50% transparent glazing in the pedestrian view plane. "If you want a private dining experience…you don't want to look outside," an attendee and commissioner remarked during the debate; Musil urged the commission to approve the submitted plans as accommodations rather than strict deviations.
Commissioners discussed adding a stipulation that would require the building to meet glazing standards if its use changed; staff and counsel raised concerns about enforceability and future modifications. The commission ultimately modified the language for the Capitol Grill’s trash-enclosure condition to treat stucco on the enclosure as an approved accommodation consistent with the submitted plan (replacing the word "deviation" with "accommodation") and approved the final plan with the revised stipulation (motion passed 9–0).
For the Yard House, staff noted several façade deviations (glazing percentages and heavy‑material totals) but the applicant and Site Plan Review Committee implemented additional awnings, bands and landscape screening that increased perceived heavy materials and façade interest. The commission approved DEV‑2025‑71 with stipulations A–O, including a requirement that shed awnings remain or that their removal return the project to final development plan review.
