BY THE OBSERVER STAFF

EDITOR@

OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

The Auburn City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Dec. 3, and approved a license agreement for airspace encroachment into right-of-way for the property located at 145 E. Magnolia Ave. — what will be Stacks Pancake Kitchen.

“Stacks Pancake Kitchen is set to occupy the former Fusion Bar & Eats space within Magnolia Plaza, located at 145 East Magnolia Avenue,” the city’s e-packet reads. “Stacks is a breakfast, brunch/lunch restaurant and is not anticipating serving dinner. The new tenant will be making minor interior alterations to the current space. One such alteration is the addition of griddle tables, allowing customers to make their own pancakes.”

The existing kitchen exhaust system does not have the capacity to handle the business’ needs, according to the e-packet, and will also undergo alterations to its exhaust ventilation system to support the extra demand for air exhaust from the cooking area. The owner’s proposal is to have an exterior exhaust system which will encroach over the pedestrian sidewalk on the north side of East Magnolia Avenue.

The council authorized the airspace lease agreement for the owner’s proposed exterior exhaust system, which would overhang the sidewalk on the north side of 145 E. Magnolia Ave. 

“In essence it hangs over the sideline,” said City Manager Megan McGowen Crouch. “To meet code and the volume of things they are doing, they must have this type. If they wait for some other type it would be nine-plus months in fabrication and slow down their opening. We feel this is the best solution at this time. We have them all over the backs of these buildings.”

IN OTHER BUSINESS:

– The council recognized Laquetta Ware, Community Services, as employee of the month.

– The council gave service awards to Montavious Ray for 10 years of service with the Auburn Parks and Recreation department, Crouch for 25 years with the office of the city manager and David France and Rick McCarty for 25 years with water resource management.

– The council recognized Debra Hoyett for her retirement from the police force after 27 years.

– The council heard a report from Crouch on the expenditures pertaining the Rebuild Alabama Act funds.

– The council approved the purchase of one F-250 Truck from Stivers Ford for the Parks And Recreations Department in the amount of about $66,500.

– The council approved a contract with WHP Trainingtowers to design and construct a public safety training structure for the Auburn Fire and Police departments in the amount of nearly $348,000.

– The council approved three board appointments, one to fill the supernumerary position on the Board of Zoning for a term beginning Jan. 21, 2023, running until Jan. 20, 2026.

The next Auburn City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m.