Rendering of the proposed CC’s Coffee House at 2323 Canal St. via City of New Orleans

Developer and restauranteur Anthony Marullo’s proposal to build a CC’s Coffee House with a drive-thru on Canal Street was rejected by the City Planning Commission this week (Oct. 13).  The primary objection was that the design is too suburban for Canal Street and the city’s desire to create an urban and pedestrian friendly environment near the new hospital complex.

Marullo sought to build the coffee house at 2323 Canal St., right across the street from the newly christened University Medical Center and VA hospital complex.  Plans called for a 1,640 square foot shop with 10 parking spaces.

The property, which is currently in use as a used car sales lot, has zoning that allows a coffee shop, but requires a conditional use for the addition of a drive-thru.

The city staff argued against the conditional use permit, taking the position that the suurban, car friendly drive-thru will encourage car traffic rather than pedestrian use.

The Commission ended up voting 4-2 to reject the drive-thru.  CPC commissioners Robert Steeg, Kyle Wedberg, Kelly Brown, and Charles Allen voted to reject the drive-thru, while Royce Duplessis and Nolan Marshall voted in favor of it. Commissioners Craig Mitchell, Pamela Bryan and Alexandra Mora were absent.