Carson City's historic Adele's site to become gas station parking lot if permit approved
The historic Adele’s property could be torn down and repurposed to serve the neighboring gas station, according to the Carson City Planning Commission’s upcoming agenda.
According to the agenda, the applicant is seeking to expand the existing gas station with convenience store use onto the neighboring property in which Adele’s sits vacant.
Specifically, the gas station is looking to expand its property to include parking spaces, a trash enclosure, landscaping, and a bench.
The property is located within the Downtown zoning district, and an “Automobile Service Station with a convenience market as an accessory use” is listed as a Conditional use in the zoning district, which requires a Special Use Permit.
The Planning Commission is generally authorized in granting or denying all Special Use Permits as pertaining to planning within Carson City.
The building that housed Adele's was constructed in 1864, according to owner Charlie Abowd in an April interview. In October Abowd and his wife Karen announced they would not re-open.
According to the agenda, the property owner provided information to the Community Development Director who authorized demolition of the building, based on evidence that it is not “economically feasible” to preserve or restore the structure following the March 28 fire.
The demolition can only occur once a replacement property has been approved.
The agenda notes that “As the applicant will not be meeting all of the design requirements of the Downtown mixed Use zoning district, primarily because a building is not proposed, the design is considered an alternative approach to the design guidelines, requiring a Special use Permit. The Planning Commission is authorized to approve a Special Use Permit.”
In addition, a list of recommended conditions of approval also includes the need for an art installation:
Condition seven stipulates: “Art is to be installed on the art monument, subject to review and approval by the Cultural Commission. The art is to be privately owned and maintained, but the public will have visual access to it.”
However, if the Cultural Commission doesn’t find the area to be an appropriate location for art, the area will instead be landscaped.
Shrubs, trees and benches that match the rest of Downtown will also be added.
In addition, it stipulates that the trees (on the property) on John Street must be pruned and the ivy removed.
You can read the entirety of the plans for the property here.