New restaurant proposed for Laurel Square
Zeppe’s Tavern would feature indoor, outdoor dining, outdoor stage
BRUNSWICK – Renovations to Laurel Square, which involved a new look for the exterior of the plaza in 2016, are expected to continue well into 2017 with the addition of a new restaurant on the shopping center’s western edge.
Preliminary site plans calling for a new 8,700-square-foot Zeppe’s Tavern were presented to the city’s Planning Commission Feb. 2. The project is expected to feature a sit-down restaurant consisting of two dining rooms, a private dining area, a party room, a take-out order area, a main bar and a kitchen area.
Additionally, a 4,710-square-foot outdoor patio has been proposed that will include two outdoor bars, a stage area for outdoor concerts and a firebox for a total surface area of 13,410 square feet.
The facility will be located on a currently vacant outlot on the western outskirts of Laurel Square, 1733 Pearl Road. That lot is located just south of McDonald’s and just north of the building that houses the Brunswick Family Restaurant, Mr. Hero and Fat Bob’s Pizza.
Leon Sampat, engineer for the project, told members of the Planning Commission the restaurant will be located in-line with the two existing restaurant buildings in Laurel Square to maintain the aesthetic appeal. Accordingly, he said, the proposed outdoor patio will be located on the building’s east side to allow for carryout pickup and accompanying parking spaces to be located along Pearl Road.
Planning Commission Member Jeff Arona calls the project “a great compliment to the site.”
“I really like the creativeness going into the project,” Arona said, “particularly when it comes to the fact that you are going to offer a full menu and not just pizza.”
Arona said the Planning Commission also appreciates the fact that the design team for the project took the time to build the outdoor entertainment area into the plans for the building.
Because the nearby restaurants on both sides of the proposed Zeppe’s Tavern feature drive-thru pickup lanes, members of the commission said they plan to take caution to make sure that existing traffic patterns and noise from the restaurant’s outdoor entertainment center have a minimal effect on its neighbors.
To minimize the impact, Sampat told the commission that the owner of the restaurant intends to construct a 6-foot privacy fence and install landscaping around the patio to shield the sound from the outdoor stage as best as possible.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to move the project to a detailed site plan review.
Preliminary site plans calling for a new 8,700-square-foot Zeppe’s Tavern were presented to the city’s Planning Commission Feb. 2. The project is expected to feature a sit-down restaurant consisting of two dining rooms, a private dining area, a party room, a take-out order area, a main bar and a kitchen area.
Additionally, a 4,710-square-foot outdoor patio has been proposed that will include two outdoor bars, a stage area for outdoor concerts and a firebox for a total surface area of 13,410 square feet.
The facility will be located on a currently vacant outlot on the western outskirts of Laurel Square, 1733 Pearl Road. That lot is located just south of McDonald’s and just north of the building that houses the Brunswick Family Restaurant, Mr. Hero and Fat Bob’s Pizza.
Leon Sampat, engineer for the project, told members of the Planning Commission the restaurant will be located in-line with the two existing restaurant buildings in Laurel Square to maintain the aesthetic appeal. Accordingly, he said, the proposed outdoor patio will be located on the building’s east side to allow for carryout pickup and accompanying parking spaces to be located along Pearl Road.
Planning Commission Member Jeff Arona calls the project “a great compliment to the site.”
“I really like the creativeness going into the project,” Arona said, “particularly when it comes to the fact that you are going to offer a full menu and not just pizza.”
Arona said the Planning Commission also appreciates the fact that the design team for the project took the time to build the outdoor entertainment area into the plans for the building.
Because the nearby restaurants on both sides of the proposed Zeppe’s Tavern feature drive-thru pickup lanes, members of the commission said they plan to take caution to make sure that existing traffic patterns and noise from the restaurant’s outdoor entertainment center have a minimal effect on its neighbors.
To minimize the impact, Sampat told the commission that the owner of the restaurant intends to construct a 6-foot privacy fence and install landscaping around the patio to shield the sound from the outdoor stage as best as possible.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to move the project to a detailed site plan review.
