Mazen’s restaurant seeking Shell Beach Drive location
Published 8:58 pm Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Residents protesting proposal
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<p class="p1">Several residents who live on Shell Beach Drive are against a zoning application that would allow for a restaurant/special event center on a 9.2-acre tract of property at 1301 Shell Beach Drive.
<p class="p1">Mazen Hijazi, owner of Mazen’s restaurant on West College St., filed an application to the city of Lake Charles Planning Department on April 13, requesting a “major conditional use permit” to allow the existing home to function as a restaurant/special event center. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the application 5:30 p.m. May 14 at City Hall in the City Council chambers, 326 W. Pujo St.
<p class="p1">According to the application, Hijazi stated that the development is “well designed and will provide an option for corporate meetings and special events in Lake Charles.” But residents have voiced opposition to the request. Several signs were posted in the area, stating, “No Restaurants on Shell Beach Drive,” along with the date of the zoning committee meeting.
<p class="p1">Karen Barker lives on the corner of Barbe Street and Shell Beach Drive. While she is “pro-development,” she said she opposes putting a restaurant “in the middle of a residential area.”
<p class="p1">“I am unequivocally against drop zoning,” Barker said.
<p class="p1">Mary Shaddock Jones, who has family who live on Shell Beach Drive, sent a letter opposing the request. She cited safety concerns with Shell Beach Drive being “a two-lane roadway bounded by a walking path” that prohibits commercial trucks. Jones added that the roadway’s width of 18 feet is “too narrow to accommodate such a heavy flow of traffic” that would be needed for the business to be successful.
<p class="p1">Jones also said she was against putting a restaurant or major event center “in the middle of an historical residential neighborhood.”
<p class="p1">Doug Burguieres, assistant director for the city’s planning department, said if approved by the planning commission, the property would remain zoned as residential and could only be used as a restaurant or event center.
<p class="p1">The only change to the property, Burguieres said, would be a parking lot built behind the house with up to 100 estimated spaces. He said the number of parking spaces would be based on the restaurant’s seating capacity. There will be no square footage added to the property, he said.
<p class="p1">According to the Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor’s website, the property is owned by Oliver G. “Rick” Richard III, et ux and Donna Richard. Rick Richard declined to comment on Hijazi’s application.
<p class="p1">If the planning board denies the application, Burguieres said the applicant can appeal the decision and bring it before the full City Council.
<p class="p1"><strong>For more, read Wednesday’s edition of the <em>American Press</em>.</strong>
<em>An updated article has been posted.</em>
