Foodstuffs Sidewalk Cafe and Other Recent SPAARC Actions Affecting Our Neighborhood

The Site Plan and Appearance Review Committee (SPAARC, but which is listed on the City's web page for committees and boards as the Site Plan and Appearance Review Board - SPAARB?) on April 23 considered the following projects in our neighborhood:

• The Committee voted unanimously to approve a renewed sidewalk café permit for 2106 Central (Foodstuffs), finding that it will not cause a disruption or negative impact on the community. Conditions include no smoking or pets (other than service animals) within the cafe area, and leaving a 6' pathway for pedestrians.

• The Committee by split vote recommended approval to the ZBA of an application by the owner of 2323 Lawndale to split his lot into two lots, each substandard by about 700 s.f., in order to build a larger-than-permitted 2-1/2 story house on the vacant (and currently unbuildable) lot that the subdivision will create. Zoning Administrator Bill Dunkley noted that this will require major variances. The SPAARC conditioned its recommendation on the owner showing that surrounding lots (except the one adjacent) are substandard lots as the owner stated.

• The Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the ZBA that the owner of 807 Central (an oversize lot divided into 3 lots) be allowed to put an emergency electrical generator next to his house.