Smooth sailing so far for Birchwood and Seward Cafes

BY ED FELIEN

The Staff Reports on the proposed changes for the Birchwood and Seward Cafés recommend approval of the proposed changes and, barring unforeseen problems, the approvals should be given at the Planning Commission meeting, Monday, Oct. 15, and then the proposals will march to the Zoning and Planning Committee and then to the full City Council.

Tracy Singleton, the owner of the Birchwood Café, is asking for a rezoning of portions of her properties at 3311 East 25th St. and 2503 33rd Ave. S from single family to commercial to allow for the expansion of the restaurant. The Planning Commission will also be asked to approve a variance of the parking requirement and allow the six existing spaces to be sufficient and not the nine spaces normally required by the addition. She will also have to install bike racks on the property for at least three bikes.

Staff has recommended approval of the Seward Café’s request for a zoning change from Commercial zoning C1 to C2 which will allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages and general entertainment. They also recommend reducing the required parking spaces from 15 to 14, and they want racks provided for 7 bikes. These changes must be approved by the Planning Commission, the Zoning and Planning Committee and the full City Council, so final approval probably will not happen before the end of the month.