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Yogurt store approved at Bailey’s Center

By Staff | Sep 28, 2012

JIM LINETTE Sanibel's Plan Commission approved an application Tuesday for a frozen yogurt store to occupy empty space in Bailey's Center.

With little fanfare and no opposition, the Sanibel Plan Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit application Tuesday for a frozen yogurt store to operate out of retail space in Bailey’s Center.

The business to be known as Zebra Frozen Yogurt will occupy a 1,435-square-foot retail unit steps away from Hillgate Communications. It will have seating inside for 20 people with some outside seating allowed.

The unit previously was occupied as a retail store and is being renovated to serve frozen yogurt, ice cream, coffee, tea and other drinks.

Jeremy Kane, the owner-applicant, accepted the Planning Department staff’s recommendations and conditions for approval, which include fire inspection parking lot modifications.

“I want to thank director (Jim) Jordan for his time and explanations for someone unfamiliar with the process,” said Kane. “He steered me through and made the process bearable.”

It’s not the first time for a yogurt store at Bailey’s Center. The previous yogurt business had only walk-up window service whereas Zebra Frozen Yogurt will offer more space and inside seating.

A traffic and parking lot study was conducted with the Zebra Frozen Yogurt conditional use permit application. Commissioners Chuck Ketteman and Tom Krekel raised the issue of possible increased bicycle traffic to the yogurt store.

Richard Johnson of Bailey’s Center advised the commission of modifications to the entry driveways on Tarpon Bay Road on which permits have been issued in addition to parking lot modifications.

“We at Bailey’s encourage bicycle traffic and we don’t need more cars on Periwinkle,” said Johnson. “From one end of the center to the other you will see that we have ample bike racks and we concern ourselves with people on bikes at the center.”

Kane informed the commission that he planned to have the store in full operation before season.

The next commission meeting is on Oct. 9.