GPICA addresses Cracker Cafe zoning
The second meeting of the season of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association’s was held last Tuesday evening. In addition to the keynote speaker, clean water activist John Heim, Russell Smith, the owner of the Cracker Cafe, was present to ask for a zoning variance for the restaurant.
According to the GPICA press release entitled Cracker Cafe Rezoning Presentation by Gary F. Muller, AICP: “The applicant, Russell Smith, is requesting a zoning change from AG-2 and CG to CPD on a one acre parcel located on the East side of Stringfellow Road, about four miles North of Pine Island Road. The property’s been previously developed with a two story building which contains a 300 square foot office and 2,444 square feet of storage area and a one story 1,468 square foot restaurant with a 2,912 square foot outdoor seating area. The restaurant presently has a 2-COP liquor license which is limited to indoor seating only. The applicant is requesting a special exception to allow the consumption on premises to include the outdoor seating. CPD zoning allows consumption on premises limited to Group III Restaurant with 2-COP (beer and wine) liquor license and outdoor seating for 75 persons.”
GPICA president Roger Wood introduced Smith.
Reading from the rezoning application, Smith said, “The plan proposes that a portion of the outdoor seating area may be enclosed in the future which will increase the restaurant area by 522 square feet. The site plan also indicates 54 parking spaces. The applicant is not requesting a bar or cocktail lounge. The request is for consumption on premises of beer and wine only without more seating. The applicant agrees to restrictions on outdoor music, days, hours and acoustic music only.”
The brief statement was followed by a question-and-answer period. Of the 75 people present, many were residents within “hearing distance” of Cracker Cafe (formerly known as Flatheads). Smith’s attorney was not present and Smith answered questions from the audience.
Q: “What is the seating request?”
A: “A total of 75 seats indoor and outdoor.”
Q: “How would you put time limits on music?”
A: “It’s not my intention to have what we had there before, but none of that’s finalized yet.”
Q: “Do you have a name for the restaurant?”
A: “It may just stay Cracker Cafe. My daughter does breads and baking. Basically it might resemble a Panera Bread with sandwiches so people can enjoy the outdoors and sit outside and enjoy the weather and Pine Island.”
Q: “Are you applying for a special exemption?”
A: “There are several exemptions.”
Q: “According to the Lee Plan, special exemption is required for drinking beer, wine, alcohol and outdoor seating.”
A: “Yes.”
Q: “Our issue is that the neighborhood is more residential than commercial. This business will effect our wellbeing and property values.”
A: “I don’t see that.”
Q: “I live about 900 feet from the building and when it was Cracker Cafe, the noise was pretty bad and when it was Flatheads it was unbearable.”
A: “They’re not there any longer (referring to Flatheads).”
Q: “What is the buffer on the North side of the property that faces the residential area?”
A: “Five feet from the existing parking lot that is between the existing storage building.”
“Regarding the sound issue Russell said he would provide a written agreement as to the hours of the music operation, that it wouldn’t go beyond a certain time, the music would be acoustic and not electronic. Is that enough for the neighbors?” Wood asked.
A: “No.”
The discussion ended with a vote. A motion to approve rezoning as original requested was made by Claudia Bringe, with a second by Shari Perkins. Those in attendance voted: Aye: 4, Nay: 14, Abstain: 8.
The rezoning request was rejected.
A 45-minute slide presentation and talk by John Heim of the Southwest Florida Clean Water Movement was delivered. Heim highlighted the sources of pollution that kill the fish and foul our waters that surround our Islands.
The Phil Buchanan Celebration of Life service will be held at the St. James City Civic Association Sunday, Jan. 15, from 5-7 p.m.
The purpose of the GPICA is to promote environmentally responsible planning for smart growth and promote preservation of sensitive natural areas. The GPICA recognizes and promotes the unique character of our rural and agricultural island community.
All GPICA meetings are open to the public at no charge. The group meets at the Elks on Pine Island Road, west of Stringfellow, on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Join or renew membership for $10 per person annual fee. Contact Wood at 920-421-3984.
GPICA addresses Cracker Cafe zoning
The second meeting of the season of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association’s was held last Tuesday evening. In addition to the keynote speaker, clean water activist John Heim, Russell Smith, the owner of the Cracker Cafe, was present to ask for a zoning variance for the restaurant.
According to the GPICA press release entitled Cracker Cafe Rezoning Presentation by Gary F. Muller, AICP: “The applicant, Russell Smith, is requesting a zoning change from AG-2 and CG to CPD on a one acre parcel located on the East side of Stringfellow Road, about four miles North of Pine Island Road. The property’s been previously developed with a two story building which contains a 300 square foot office and 2,444 square feet of storage area and a one story 1,468 square foot restaurant with a 2,912 square foot outdoor seating area. The restaurant presently has a 2-COP liquor license which is limited to indoor seating only. The applicant is requesting a special exception to allow the consumption on premises to include the outdoor seating. CPD zoning allows consumption on premises limited to Group III Restaurant with 2-COP (beer and wine) liquor license and outdoor seating for 75 persons.”
GPICA president Roger Wood introduced Smith.
Reading from the rezoning application, Smith said, “The plan proposes that a portion of the outdoor seating area may be enclosed in the future which will increase the restaurant area by 522 square feet. The site plan also indicates 54 parking spaces. The applicant is not requesting a bar or cocktail lounge. The request is for consumption on premises of beer and wine only without more seating. The applicant agrees to restrictions on outdoor music, days, hours and acoustic music only.”
The brief statement was followed by a question-and-answer period. Of the 75 people present, many were residents within “hearing distance” of Cracker Cafe (formerly known as Flatheads). Smith’s attorney was not present and Smith answered questions from the audience.
Q: “What is the seating request?”
A: “A total of 75 seats indoor and outdoor.”
Q: “How would you put time limits on music?”
A: “It’s not my intention to have what we had there before, but none of that’s finalized yet.”
Q: “Do you have a name for the restaurant?”
A: “It may just stay Cracker Cafe. My daughter does breads and baking. Basically it might resemble a Panera Bread with sandwiches so people can enjoy the outdoors and sit outside and enjoy the weather and Pine Island.”
Q: “Are you applying for a special exemption?”
A: “There are several exemptions.”
Q: “According to the Lee Plan, special exemption is required for drinking beer, wine, alcohol and outdoor seating.”
A: “Yes.”
Q: “Our issue is that the neighborhood is more residential than commercial. This business will effect our wellbeing and property values.”
A: “I don’t see that.”
Q: “I live about 900 feet from the building and when it was Cracker Cafe, the noise was pretty bad and when it was Flatheads it was unbearable.”
A: “They’re not there any longer (referring to Flatheads).”
Q: “What is the buffer on the North side of the property that faces the residential area?”
A: “Five feet from the existing parking lot that is between the existing storage building.”
“Regarding the sound issue Russell said he would provide a written agreement as to the hours of the music operation, that it wouldn’t go beyond a certain time, the music would be acoustic and not electronic. Is that enough for the neighbors?” Wood asked.
A: “No.”
The discussion ended with a vote. A motion to approve rezoning as original requested was made by Claudia Bringe, with a second by Shari Perkins. Those in attendance voted: Aye: 4, Nay: 14, Abstain: 8.
The rezoning request was rejected.
A 45-minute slide presentation and talk by John Heim of the Southwest Florida Clean Water Movement was delivered. Heim highlighted the sources of pollution that kill the fish and foul our waters that surround our Islands.
The Phil Buchanan Celebration of Life service will be held at the St. James City Civic Association Sunday, Jan. 15, from 5-7 p.m.
The purpose of the GPICA is to promote environmentally responsible planning for smart growth and promote preservation of sensitive natural areas. The GPICA recognizes and promotes the unique character of our rural and agricultural island community.
All GPICA meetings are open to the public at no charge. The group meets at the Elks on Pine Island Road, west of Stringfellow, on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Join or renew membership for $10 per person annual fee. Contact Wood at 920-421-3984.