The buildings at 918 (Top) and 700 First Street (Bottom) will soon be the respective homes of One House Bakery and Farm & Flour coffee shop. The Historic Preservation Review Commission will vote on design modifications Thursday. (Photos by Nick Sestanovich)

Two First Street businesses are slated to arrive in the next few months. Due to their location in the historic downtown, they will have to undergo design review by the Historic Preservation Review Commission at this Thursday’s meeting.

The first new business is One House Bakery, an upscale bake shop in the former location of Benicia Antique Mall at 918 First St. According to a staff report, the property is a non-contributing commercial building in the Downtown Historic District and owner Peter Pervan is requesting design review approval for a rear deck and slight exterior facade alterations. These include new exterior paint, gooseneck lighting, new signage and maple planks underneath the canopy soffit.

Currently, the building is painted red, white and black, but Pervan and architect Nathaniel Muehler are requesting a more neutral beige palette with a blue trim. A wooden deck with metal wire mesh rails is being suggested for the rear facade to provide customer seating and an additional exit location. Finally, a new sign with individual letters will be hung above the storefront with gooseneck lighting hung above. One House Bakery is expected to open in the spring, according to the owner.

The next design review is for a new coffee shop and deli called Farm & Flour  at 700 First St., formerly the home of Studio 41. Applicant Brett Benzer is requesting to repaint the current brick facade to have a black and white color scheme. A new hand-painted wooden sign would be installed above the front entrance, transom and side facing East G Street. There would also be wall-mounted gooseneck lighting above the new sign. Benzer is also seeking to remove the non-original interior mounted window grids from the bay windows facing East G Street as well as the non-original exterior mounted window grids from First Street facing the storefront windows. Finally, Benzer plans to remove the current wooden door in the entry and replace it with a black painted aluminum door. The planter boxes and balloon awning in the front would also be removed. Farm & Flour is planned to open over the summer.

Staff is recommending the HPRC approve the design reviews for both proposed businesses.

In other matters, the Commission will hear an update on design guidelines within the Downtown Historic District and provide a study session discussion on Accessory Dwelling Unit regulation amendments. Additionally, the HPRC will hear a report on a proposed new ADA accessible walkway to the City Park gazebo, which the city is planning to rebuild.

The HPRC will meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 26 in City Hall’s Commission Room, located at 250 East L St.

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