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The Suffolk Planning Commission’s Nov. 19, 2024 meeting, saw debate surrounding parking for Pearlz & Bowtiez, a proposed community center aiming to provide a space for community engagement and events. The project, submitted by Roberta and Talbot Branch, seeks to transform a former laundromat at 506 E. Washington Street into a multipurpose space for skills workshops, tutoring, vendor shows, and various events.

Roberta Branch, speaking on behalf of herself and her husband, outlined their vision for the center, expressing a strong desire to foster community connections. 

“… to create a place that will host events that help bring the community together,” she said. “We aim to sponsor community education projects that would provide instructional services and educate the public on key issues and direct projects that will help grow that Community.”

Branch further emphasized potential partnerships with local institutions like Suffolk Public Schools and the Suffolk Cultural Arts Center, showcasing the project’s commitment to community engagement.

The proposed center, however, faced a hurdle regarding parking requirements. The applicants own an adjacent lot intended for parking, but staff recommended consolidating the two parcels by vacating the property line. This condition, listed as item two in the staff report, aimed to ensure sufficient parking for the assembly use.

Branch expressed surprise and frustration with this recommendation.

“Asking us to vacate our property line between the two pieces of property … was a concern of mine because what we did offer and was advised to ask for was a cross access and cross park and contract agreement between the two pieces of property, which we did submit in August.”

She argued that vacating the line would limit their future flexibility in selling the properties individually.

Director of Planning & Community Development, Kevin Wyne, clarified that while a parking agreement was submitted, a separate Conditional Use Permit application for the parking lot itself was never filed. This omission stemmed from the fact that the adjacent lot, despite its appearance and history of use as a parking lot, was not legally established as such.  Wyne explained that the staff’s primary responsibility was to ensure compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance(UDO), which mandates adequate parking for assembly uses like the proposed center.

Commissioner Johnnie Edwards, recalling a similar situation with a bed and breakfast project that relied on a church parking lot agreement, inquired if waiving the CUP fee for the parking lot was possible.  Wyne confirmed that waiving the fee was within the realm of possibility, but ultimately a decision for the City Council.

The discussion further revealed confusion regarding the initial guidance given to the applicants. Branch asserted that she was only informed about the need for a separate CUP for the parking lot after submitting the initial CUP application and paying the associated fee.  She expressed feeling misled by the process, stating, “to be told that this is only good enough to get me here was unacceptable.”

Commissioner Gerald Goodman, in an effort to find a workable solution, proposed tabling the request to provide the applicants with time to explore alternative parking arrangements. Options included securing a parking agreement with a nearby church, which had a legally established parking lot, or proceeding with a separate CUP application for their existing lot.

Commissioner Anita Hicks, echoing Branch’s concerns, voiced her discomfort approving the project with the condition to vacate the property line. This sentiment, coupled with Goodman’s suggestion and the desire for a “cleaner” solution, swayed the commission towards tabling the request. 

The commission ultimately voted unanimously to table the Pearlz & Bowtiez CUP request until their Dec. 17, 2024, meeting.  

Edwards, reflecting on the meeting’s events, praised Branch for highlighting a potential issue with the city’s process that could benefit future applicants. 

“This is well worth our time… [what] we’re doing is fixing something that the next generation will not have to stand here and go through this.”