Planning Commission to Take Up Task Force Recommendations

By Jorge Casuso

May 19 – On Wednesday night, the Planning Commission will take up a series of text amendments aimed at reversing an exodus of eateries from the bustling, high-rent strip.

Last month the commission discussed most of the recommendations hammered out by the Promenade Uses Task Force, which include allowing signs for second-floor restaurants (which was approved to include upper floors) and expanding outdoor dining (which will be revisited Wednesday night).

But the focus of the deliberations was a recommendation to replace the often lengthy process of obtaining a Conditional Use Permit for alcohol with a swift administrative approval, given certain standards are met.

Engaged in a battle with planning staff to retain public input for many multi-family projects across the City, the commission was wary of transferring even more of its power.

“I am not comfortable with taking the public process out of this,” Commissioner Julie Lopez Dad said at the April 14 meeting. “To start establishing the precedence of removing these community safeguards is a very irresponsible thing to do.

“The things we do and the precedents we set are going to be used in other parts of the city,” Lopez Dad said. “It’s now in the public process, and I’m very committed to keeping it that way.”

“In terms of alcohol, that has been very important for members of the public to be able to speak,” said Commission Chair Darrell Clarke.

After a spirited debate and input from staff, the commission struck up a compromise they hope will both expedite the process and retain public input, and perhaps become a prototype for other planning issues.

Under the proposal, alcohol licenses would be decided by staff, but would require planning commission approval, albeit without the staff reports and findings necessary when granting a CUP. The commission would hear from the public, then decide whether to approve the alcohol license, attach conditions or deny it.

“I do think it’s workable, but we have to be very sensitive to get this stuff quick, so we don’t hang up the lease,” said Commissioner Jay Johnson.

But Commissioner Terry O’Day cautioned against delaying the process.

“The administrative approval is an important part of the incentives package,” O’Day said.

“We’re really swimming upstream to get restaurants back to the Promenade.”

The commission unanimously directed staff to draft language for the compromise plan, but delayed a final decision on expanding outdoor dining to sidewalks and the Promenade courtyards.

Lopez Dad opposed the task force recommendation to allow staff to approve outdoor dining without a public hearing if it met certain standards, while Clarke said outdoor dining should be encouraged.

“I’m for more outdoor dining opportunities,” Clarke said. “We have great climate, and we don’t have nearly enough.”