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Chef Zack Sklar's plan to build an outdoor dining platform in front of forthcoming restaurant projects Au Cochon and Arthur Avenue was unanimously voted down on Monday, reports The Detroit Free Press. Without the approval, Sklar told the commission that his company Peas & Carrots Hospitality might not move forward with the Palladium 12 bistros:
"Birmingham is a walkable community, and we need outdoor seating to make more money so we can afford the rent to do this development. If we can't, this project won't work."
During prior commission meetings, retailers voiced concerns that restaurant dining platforms were amplifying parking shortages in downtown Birmingham. Sklar's platform would have taken up two parking spaces on Old Woodward Avenue providing outdoor seating for up to 30 diners. Now Au Cochon and Arthur Avenue are left with outdoor seating for only 12 customers.
Peas & Carrots Hospitality operates multiple restaurants in Metro Detroit including Social Kitchen and Bar, Beau's, and MEX. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to open restaurants in Chicago and Grand Rapids and Sklar has expressed interest in opening a restaurant in Detroit proper.
