Expect some changes to two Five Points businesses after the first of the year.
During its monthly meeting, the City of Columbia’s Board of Zoning Appeals granted variances related to off-street parking for Upstairs Audio and Publico Kitchen & Tap.
Joe Azar, who owns the buildings at 746 and 748 Harden St., had gone before the board seeking a variance to close off the small parking lot in front of Upstairs Audio from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The property sits at the corner of Harden and Greene, across from the Five Points Fountain, and Azar argued that the site becomes a gathering spot for revelers and criminal activity.
He told the board that there are motorcycles that park in the lot and spill out in to the street, people have been using the lot as a toilet, and windows and doors have been broken and busted on his buildings and adjacent businesses. Noting that the Columbia Police have blocked or barricaded the lot on occasion, Azar asked that he have control over the space.
Grilled Teriyaki restaurant is next door to Upstairs Audio and shares the Harden Street parking lot. Azar is the landlord for the restaurant and says that Grilled Teriyaki closes the doors to the seating area around 10 p.m. and operates a take-out/delivery-only window until closing. By keeping two parking spots available for delivery drivers, the proposal to close the small lot after 6 p.m. would not impact the restaurant’s business.
In addition, Azar petitioned for a variance to allow a cart vendor to set up in the lot when it was closed, from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Azar said that the vendor would have to keep the lot clean and keep a watch on the lot while in operation.
Amy Beth Franks, executive director of the Five Points Merchants Association, spoke to the board about the association’s concerns regarding Azar’s request and asked that the board grant a temporary or conditional variance. Franks wanted to make sure that any vendor setting up operation in the lot completely break down and clean up, and not be in direct competition to a Five Points brick-and-mortar business.
Board members said any vendor would have to have a City permit for operation and would need to break down and clean the area when they closed, and then voted 5-0 in favor of granting the variances to Azar.
At Publico, co-owner Bob McCarthy requested a variance to close the rear parking lot to expand the restaurant’s operation. McCarthy and business partner Mike Duganier have plans to add an outdoor space to include a bocce ball court, game area, corn hole area, picnic tables and a small dining area, storage, and bike racks so that Publico becomes more attractive to families and people over the age of 30.
McCarthy cited the parking lot is too small for today’s larger vehicles to turn around, and that he has seen a growing number of patrons using driver services to get to the restaurant.
Board members unanimously approved the variance for the Greene Street establishment.