Planning Commission Agenda Packet 02112026

P26-0018, Naschmarkt Planning Commission 5 of 7 PROPOSED PROJECT The applicant is requesting approval for a bar (serving wine, spirits, beer, and cocktails) to operate from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The planned maximum capacity is 60 patrons at any given time and four to six staff members. Limited food service, including snacks and small plates/bites, would be available during the operating hours. No exterior improvements or outdoor seating are proposed at this time. Please see the attached narrative (Exhibit B) for additional information on the proposed use. ANALYSIS Conditional uses are those uses that, by their nature, require special consideration so they may be located properly with respect to the objectives of the PMC and with respect to their effects on surrounding properties. To achieve these purposes, the Planning Commission is empowered to approve, conditionally approve, or deny applications for use permits. Staff notes the Guidelines are intended to minimize the impact of the proposed use on neighboring uses, and compliance allows for expedited CUP application processing and review. Land Use The proposed bar would be located in a commercially zoned area of Downtown, containing mixed land uses including retail, office, hotel, and residential uses. As shown in Figure 4, the closest residentially zoned properties are located between 80 and 450 feet from the subject site property lines to the south, east and west. The closest residential use is located above the Gay 90’s pizza restaurant at 288 Main Street, which operates a restaurant with bar. Other residential uses are substantially further away (240 to 450 feet) and are generally buffered by several commercial and office buildings, streets such as Main Street and First Street, as well as the City parking lot within the Transportation Corridor to the east. Nonetheless, staff is sensitive to potential land use conflicts in the Downtown between the existing residents living near or within the commercially zoned part of Downtown. Furthermore, commercial uses may have “spill-over” effects on those residents related to parking, hours of operation, noise, or similar issues. In developing the Guidelines, the Downtown Hospitality Task Force looked carefully at the specifics of bar operations and tried to achieve a balance between maintaining the quality of life for Downtown residents and the objective of having a vibrant Downtown with businesses and activities that draw people to the area both during the day and night. Thus, the Guidelines include standards by which a bar should operate to be considered for expedited review. Staff has incorporated the standards into the recommended conditions of approval (Exhibit A) and believes the proposed bar would not negatively affect surrounding uses, including any nearby residential uses. The Land Use and Design and Economic Vitality chapters of the Downtown Specific Plan encourage “active ground floor uses” within the Active Ground Floor Use Overlay. An active ground floor use is defined as a use that promotes an active pedestrian environment on the ground floor of a commercial building, and includes retail establishments, restaurants, bars and brew pubs, art and craft studios, and other uses as determined by the Director of Community