Easy Egg Reveals Patio, Seating and Renovation Plans for Downtown Salina

Plans for The Easy Egg in downtown Salina are moving into another stage, with the Salina Planning Commission scheduled to consider a request for an outdoor dining patio at the restaurant’s future location at 244 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

The request is part of the Planning Commission’s Sept. 1 agenda. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Room 107 of the City-County Building.

Outdoor Patio Planned Along Santa Fe

The property owner, 1858 Properties, LLC, is requesting a Conditional Use Permit that would allow outdoor food and beverage service as part of The Easy Egg.

According to the city staff report, the proposed patio would be approximately 350 square feet, with six tables and seating for up to 24 customers. The patio would be built into the eastern portion of the existing building frontage facing South Santa Fe Avenue rather than extending outward as a separate structure.

Plans call for approximately 89 indoor seats and 24 outdoor seats, giving the restaurant an overall capacity of about 113 customers. City staff said the proposed patio would remain smaller than the indoor dining area, as required under the city’s zoning rules for outdoor restaurant patios.

Breakfast and Lunch Hours

The restaurant’s stated hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The proposal does not include a stage, live music area, DJ space or outdoor amplified sound system. City staff is recommending that those restrictions remain part of the Conditional Use Permit unless the Planning Commission later approves a change.

The city staff report notes that the application does not specifically state whether alcohol would be served on the patio. The floor plan includes an indoor bar area, however, and staff said the Planning Commission may ask the applicant to clarify that point during the hearing. Any alcohol service would require separate state and local licensing.

Major Exterior Changes Planned

The project involves more than the patio.

Plans call for removing the existing brick arches associated with the former Tony’s Restaurant frontage and rebuilding the storefront with a new appearance.

Proposed improvements include new brick and stone façade materials, wood trim, a dark bronze aluminum storefront system, a new metal canopy or awning, new signage and patio railings.

The Design Review Board previously reviewed the exterior changes in June and voted 5-0 to approve them subject to staff conditions.

A Building With Decades of History

The building itself dates to 1952, according to city building permit records cited in the staff report.

The property previously housed Tony’s Restaurant and was later occupied by the ODAT and Alano organizations. A major addition was made to the front of the building in 1973 while Tony’s Restaurant operated there.

The current redevelopment would remove some of those older exterior features while keeping the restaurant within the existing building footprint.

Downtown Parking Rules

Because the property is located in the C-4 Central Business District, The Easy Egg is not required to provide dedicated off-street parking.

City staff describes downtown as a “park once” environment supported by on-street parking, public parking areas, shared parking and pedestrian access. Staff concluded that adding the 24 patio seats would not create a need for additional off-street parking.

Staff Recommends Approval

City planning staff is recommending that the Planning Commission approve the Conditional Use Permit with conditions.

Those conditions would require the patio to remain consistent with the approved plans, remain secondary to the indoor restaurant, prohibit outdoor amplified entertainment without additional approval, and limit patio operations to 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Unlike some zoning matters, the Planning Commission is the final decision-making body for this Conditional Use Permit. An applicant dissatisfied with the decision may appeal to the City Commission within 14 days.

The Planning Commission will consider the request Tuesday, Sept. 1.