When Sala Thai opens up in the restored historic Civic Arts Building — either in December or January — it will be simply known as Sala (not Sala Thai), as it will be more of a fusion restaurant and less of a purely Thai restaurant (although it will be Thai-themed). Sala’s application to serve alcohol, which requires a conditional use permit, goes before the Planning Commission as a public hearing at tonight’s meeting — 7pm at City Hall. The Commission will also hold a public hearing on the previously-rebuffed planned auto center at the eastern end of Sycamore Avenue.

The Planning Commission will also receive a report on the developer’s request to use the site of the future Market Town (as part of New Town Center), or what is currently the former park-n-ride lot, as a temporary fairgrounds of sorts — for arts & crafts, farmers markets, etc. — and may include a stage, a lawn and coffee stands. Construction of Market Town isn’t expected for up to 18 months, and the interim uses will take advantage of the prime space.

There is an interesting choice of words by City staff in the justification portion of the staff report on the alcohol permit for Sala Restaurant. It refers to the “voter-approved Waterfront Now Initiative.” The Initiative, of course, was approved by the City Council upon receipt, and was never put on the ballot. Maybe the term “voter-approved” means that the “required number of signatures to place the measure on the ballot was exceeded,” but the initiative was never voted on by residents. More accurately, the City Council swept the praised initiative under the rug (a measure that outwardly questioned the Council’s direction over development of the Waterfront, and a measure that further codified New Urbanism), while requesting the inclusion of a rezoning of a separate parcel (the Civic Arts Building), as part of concessionary negotiations. The initiative was popular, and received many more signatures than the minimum required to place on the ballot, but it was decidedly not “voter-approved.” (Although I certainly approved of the initiative, the term “voter-approved” is a loaded phrasing of the actual events. I also approve of Sala’s request to serve alcohol; it is arguably an essential aspect of a successful restaurant.)

The complete agenda is available on the City’s website.