Council continues Old Naples Building off‑site parking and outdoor‑dining petitions to Dec. 10

Council on Oct. 15 agreed to continue two companion planning petitions filed by the Old Naples Building property owners, deferring substantive testimony so staff and the applicant can address outstanding legal issues.

Item summary: The two proposals were (1) a request to approve off‑site parking within 600 feet for property at 1148 Third Street South (parking needs analysis and code waivers), and (2) an outdoor dining petition to allow 15 tables and 76 chairs for a new restaurant in the Old Naples Building within the Third Street Commercial Area special overlay district.

City attorney Matthew McConnell asked council to continue both items to a date‑certain of Dec. 10 so city counsel and the applicant’s lawyers can flesh out legal issues; that would allow the record to be reopened on Dec. 10 without re‑advertising. The petitioner’s counsel, Mark Brown, said the applicant did not object and looks forward to working with staff to resolve outstanding items.

Why the continuance: The city attorney described outstanding legal matters related to the petitions that staff and the applicant needed more time to address. Holding the items until Dec. 10 preserves the public record while giving parties time to resolve the legal and technical questions. The council agreed with the recommendation and continued both items.

Vote: Council Member Ray Christman moved a continuance to Dec. 10; Council Member Beth Petronoff seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

What’s next: The petitions will return to council Dec. 10. Because the city manager and city attorney asked that no substantive testimony be presented at today’s hearing, the city reassigned the two public speakers for later public comment; members of the public may testify when the item is re‑heard in December.