The Planning Commission met Thursday for a discussion on approving a restaurant’s use permit and a study session for zoning text amendments.
The Loft and the Speakeasy on 280 First St. requested a use permit to authorize the sale of full alcoholic beverages. The two restaurants are located in downtown Benicia’s Harbor Walk mixed-use development, which was approved in 2003. Part of the initial Planned Development Plan stipulated that eating and drinking establishments with live music would be approved for only for Building 400, due to it being the southernmost commercial building near B Street, with other Harbor Walk buildings needing to gain a permit for such an establishment. In 2012, The Loft– a showroom and restaurant with a wine bar– was approved for a permit, as eating and drinking establishments with beer and wine service are permitted as part of the Planned Development Plan. In 2017, The Loft remodeled a portion of its restaurant and designated it as The Office Speakeasy & Piano Lounge, an early 20th-century throwback saloon specializing in Prohibition-era cocktails.
The Loft and Speakeasy need this use permit because of the Type 47 liquor license issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in May 2017. Jason Diavatis, the owner of the Loft and Speakeasy, recently completed an interior remodel that is not a part of the use permit.
The Commission unanimously approved the permit and allowed Diavatis to not be required to be present at the restaurant for all operating hours.
In other business, the Planning Commission began talks on starting a study session to evaluate potential zoning text amendments related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
A study will be conducted by the Planning Commission to review and comment on proposed amendments to the ADU regulations. Using the feedback from the Commission, city staff will prepare a public hearing in late spring. Due to the changes in state law regarding an ADU in 2018, these proposed changes are currently taking place.
City staff recommended the Commission give feedback to staff regarding the proposed amendments for parking requirements, maximum unit size, ADUs above detached garages and design standards.
The Commission will discuss the issues further at a future meeting. Some ideas being thrown around– including the need for constant parking requirements, unit size being within the foot size of existing architecture and the idea of parking requirements– were not popular with some of the commissioners.
The Planning Commission is next scheduled to meet on Thursday, April 12.

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