Community Development Director Christina Ratcliffe, acting as the city’s zoning administrator, authorized a use permit Wednesday to the city of Benicia, owner of the historic Commanding Officer’s Quarters, where Carter Rankin wants to open a co-working business.

The landmark building at 1 Commandant’s Lane once was the home of the Army Arsenal’s commander and his family. The city became the property’s owner after the Army closed the weapons base in the mid-1960s.

Dana Dean, an attorney representing AMPORTS, the company that operates the Port of Benicia, asked that Ratcliffe assure her client that Carter’s use — for Carter’s Biz Café — would not allow for overnight accommodations.

She also sought assurances that documents associated with the property no longer would say the historic building is surrounded by residential use.

Both Ratcliffe and Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani, representing the city at the hearing, agreed.

Rankin is leasing the building from the city, and will establish his Carter’s Biz Café that offers memberships for those with home-based businesses who need professional settings for meetings, conferences and other uses.

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