Use‑by‑exception approved for cocktail lounge at 69 St. George Street

The Planning & Zoning Board voted unanimously on Nov. 4 to approve a use‑by‑exception request to continue beverage service at 69 St. George Street.

Applicant Paul Thompson, representing the owner, said the property has long hosted food and beverage uses and that the new operation, named Pierre's Pub, is family‑owned and continues the use. "Since 1982, it was Mi Casa Cafe ... We did not want to inherit anything that could have been part of the last owner's beer and wine license, so we got our own," Thompson said.

Staff reviewed the site history and findings, noting the property is in the historic preservation HP‑3 zoning district and that the requested use fits the Code's use‑by‑exception criteria. Board members said the site has a documented history of similar uses and that the new ownership's application mirrored prior operations.

Action: Motion to approve PZB2025‑0087 (use‑by‑exception for cocktail lounge/tavern at 69 St. George St.). Vote: 5–0.

Why it matters: The decision allows on‑site beer and wine sales to continue at a historic downtown property under new ownership and formalizes the business's ability to apply for building permits and business licensing consistent with the code.