“The Newport Beach Planning Commission on Thursday could vote to approve a project that would transform Gallo’s Deli and the adjacent vacant lot into town homes and a second story on top of the tiny sandwich shop.

In December, the commissioners continued a hearing on the project, which the applicant calls Plaza Corona del Mar, in order to clarify parking arrangements and whether adding a second floor to the original deli was appropriate. Click here to read our earlier story.

A new staff report, which is included in the agenda for Thursday’s meeting, states that Gallo’s doesn’t need to preserve the existing structure in order to keep its existing speciality food permit. But keeping the existing structure would allow Gallo’s to stay open during construction, the report states…

…The city’s Building Division staff also reviewed project plans, which would create a separate structure above the existing building, and believe the “proposed scope of work is structurally feasible,” the report states.

“The building over Gallo’s will be a steel frame superstructure with independent footings, columns and beams from the existing building,” the report states.

The project would create six detached town home units above a subterranean parking structure as well as a 2,160-square-foot office addition above Gallo’s Deli, which is a 535-square-foot building. The project also includes a 10-space parking lot, which would have to include one of three required guest parking spaces for the town homes as well as parking for Gallo’s and the office space’s customers…”

Read more about this by going to CoronedelMarToday.com.