Sunnyside up
An Edmond panel has approved plans for Sunnyside Diner at the northeast corner of Broadway and Second Street.
EDMOND — Sunnyside Diner is one step closer to being served up after the Central Edmond Urban Development Board approved the site plan Tuesday night, despite opposition from several business owners in the area.
Sunnyside Diner is seeking to renovate the former Edmond One Stop auto shop on the northeast corner of Second Street and Broadway at 7 E Second St.
One local businessman said the diner is needed to help downtown Edmond continue to develop.
“It (downtown) can’t just be home base for the city of Edmond offices and Citizens Bank,” said Jason Duncan, owner of Evoke Coffee. “This should be an entertainment district, otherwise it is going to go away."
Developers are hoping to have the location open early next year after they were delayed due to the Urban Development Board canceling its July meeting.
Multiple variances are being requested for the business, including landscaping.
Only four parking spaces are required for the new diner, but Sunnyside owner Shannon Roper plans to provide 14 spaces. Additional parking will be offered through an agreement with the owners of the land where the Audiology Clinic of Edmond is, just east of the proposed location.
A variance also is being requested for a sign atop the building, the width of the driveway on the north side of the building and landscaping that varies from the downtown master plan.
However, parking was the major concern for Urban Development Board Member Bryanne Wallace, who owns a nearby business, and other business owners who claim parking on the east alleyway will create more issues.
“We are worried somebody is going to get killed coming out onto Second Street,” Wallace said. “I have an issue with it and I am representing downtown.”
She said that the dearth of parking will hurt her business.
To combat possible traffic issues, the city plans to extend a concrete barrier in the middle of Broadway just north of Second to prevent left turns from the building onto South Broadway.
The final vote was 6-1, with Wallace voting against the proposal.
“I think Sunnyside has probably taken the brunt of a lot of these pains,” Duncan said. “Right now, we are in this phase where it is time for something to happen.”
Changes planned for the location include a 490-square-foot addition on the north side of the building, outside seating areas and dining areas in the former auto bays.
The development is planned to be heard before the city council Aug. 27 at the City Council Chambers, 20 S Littler Avenue.