The Arizona Pizza Company is continuing its efforts to expand throughout southwest Florida and franchise owners have recently opened two locations.
The south Fort Myers location on Gladiolus Drive is open and franchise owners are working to making the North Fort Myers location fully functional.
During a recent Hearing Examiner’s meeting, owners asked for an exception to allow the restaurant to serve alcohol in its outdoor seating area.
“We’d like to serve alcohol on the patio because it serves as a waiting area for our guests,” said Joseph O’Connor, one of five managing members of Arizona Pizza. “We need this special exception for consumption on the premises because of what is allowed on this property.”
The permission O’Connor asked for was approved by the Department of Community Development staff that oversaw the case.
“The outdoor seating area is for six tables that seat 24 persons and we recommend approval but with conditions,” said Josh Overmyer, the community development planner.
Overmyer said the exception would be allowed if the restaurant agreed to serve alcohol at only two tables on the patio.
“I understand only being able to serve alcohol at two tables but my concern is my ability to separate these customers from the rest that aren’t drinking,” O’Connor said in response to only being given permission to serve alcohol in a limited capacity. “We’d prefer allowance to serve alcohol at all tables.”
O’Connor is also facing problems with alcohol consumption on the patio because of a lack of parking spaces for staff behind the patio area.
“We can agree to five tables instead of six because of zoning,” O’Connor said adding that he had spoken to the neighboring Wal-Mart store and managers there agreed to lend parking spaces for pizza company staff.
Deputy Hearing Examiner Richard Gescheidt said he’d allow for the exception but told O’Connor he had to set up another hearing for further exceptions.
“I can’t at this proceeding allow for more seating because in the original development order was for two tables ... not the five you are asking for,” said Gescheidt, adding that O’Connor speak to staff about additional seating and issues with staff parking.
O’Connor was pleased with Gescheidt’s decision and plans to ask the County for another hearing to address additional seating.
“We are pleased that they approved this area and I’d like to find a way to get five tables instead of two,” O’Connor said. “There is an aura that people like with outdoor seating and we want to be able to serve food and drinks there ... these meetings are all just part of the process.”
Another Arizona Pizza Company, O’Connor said, has been approved to open in Fort Myers on State Road 82 just east of I-75.
Arizona Pizza Company specializes in a variety of wood fired pizzas and also serves sandwiches and burgers.
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