The former Uptown firehouse/possible coffee shop and apartment conversion (it's called Engine 37, by the way) didn't fare so well at yesterday's City Planning Commission meeting. The 6-1 vote will recommend that City Council deny the plans, Uptown Messenger reports. There's already been a bit of a snafu about parking in the area, but the main reason for the votes was that the Laurel Street property "did not fit the city's master plan or qualify as a 'historic nonconforming use.'" Because the building has only been used as a firehouse and community center (and nothing commercial) then it doesn't follow the master plan rules about commercial zoning, but a residential spot is still okay. It's not over yet, though. The owner says she will plead her case to City Council.
· "Engine 37? coffee shop proposed for former firehouse by Wisner Park narrowly loses first round of rezoning effort [Uptown Messenger]
· All Engine 37 coverage [Curbed NOLA]
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