A special use permit to allow for the operation of a new garden center in Del Ray is heading to City Council this Saturday (March 15).
Jay Portlance, owner of Del Ray Hardware (2003 Mount Vernon Avenue), wants to soon open the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden right across the street at 1913 Mount Vernon Avenue.
Portlance is asking the city permission to convert six parking spaces on the property into a 2,100-square-foot outdoor garden center.
“The business will be that of an outdoor garden center,” Portlance wrote in the application. “To include the sale of plants, flowers, and lawn and garden tools. The business will include a greenhouse for the sale of indoor plants as well as a barn that will function as a covered location for the register and lawn and garden tools.”
Portlance continued, “The parking space reduction of six spaces is because there is ample parking on the street adjacent to the business. Should I be required to have parking on the premises, the functionality of the business would be greatly diminished and would make it impossible to open the business in a way that would offer a profitable opportunity.”
The Planning Commission and city staff are recommending approval of the request.
“Thirty daily customers are expected on weekdays and 100 customers are anticipated during weekends,” city staff said in a report to Council.
The property was previously home to the Bellies and Babies consignment shop, which closed in December after 10 years in business.
