The property owner of the building located at 1911 King Avenue is requesting a variance from Section 6-1203(j) of the City Code for the number of parking stalls required for a retail and restaurant mixed business.  This building currently houses Salad Creations, Scooters, Asian Grill, Brunos, a casino, and three empty suites.  The Asian Grill is proposing to expand into one of the empty suites.  If the two other suites were to become retail, the building would be 19 parking stalls short of the required parking per City Code. 

The owner of the building hired Sanderson Stewart to perform a parking study for the building.  Sanderson Stewart observed the parking during the peak time for two Saturdays.  It was determined, even with the expansion of the Asian Grill and assuming that the other empty suites would be retail, that the actual demand for parking would be 155 parking stalls.  The site has 162 parking stalls.  Engineering is recommending approval of this parking variance with the condition that the remaining empty suites can be retail or a less intensive use unless more parking is provided. 

The Council may:

• Approve the variance allowing expansion of the Asian Grill including the condition for the vacant suites; or
• Do not approve the variance.  The property owner would then have to find additional parking for this use or change the proposed use of the empty suites to reduce the amount of parking required.

There is no significant financial impact to the City for this variance.

Staff recommends Council approve a parking variance of 19 spaces for the property at 1911 King Avenue with the condition that the remaining empty suites can be retail or a less intensive use unless more parking is provided.