The applicant is proposing to modify the exterior building façades as part of the tenant improvements for a full-service restaurant. The proposed restaurant would operate seven days a week, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., with food served during the full hours of operation. The applicant has indicated that there will not be any live entertainment, either indoors or outdoors, although background music would be provided. Any future proposal to incorporate live entertainment with the restaurant use would require new discretionary review.
The overall restaurant use is permitted, and use permit approval is not required for the proposed project. Architectural control approval is required for the proposed exterior improvements, which would include relocating the main entry from the El Camino Real frontage to the Santa Cruz Avenue frontage, installing a new canopy at the main entry, removing an existing arbor in the plaza shared with Menlo Center (1010 El Camino Real), adding a new exterior staircase on the Santa Cruz Avenue frontage, and constructing a new rooftop deck at the rear of the existing building.
The new restaurant would operate on three floors, with the interior layout substantially reconfigured from the current floor plan. The ground floor would consist of indoor and outdoor (plaza) dining areas, bar areas, a kitchen, storage, and a ware wash area. The mezzanine would include a flexible dining area that could accommodate private functions, a bar, and back of house and food preparation areas. The roof level would include a new deck to accommodate an outdoor dining area, a bar, and a grill, as well as a new mechanical enclosure. An existing small basement would be closed off and would not be utilized, as described in more detail below. Circulation through all of the floors would be accommodated by an elevator, two interior staircases, and one exterior staircase. The staircases are required to provide the necessary egress for each of the upper floors.
Status
Permit Application – February 2014
Received Permit – February 2015
News
BBC restaurant get permits to start construction work (The Almanac – March 10, 2015)