City Council Meeting Date: April 18, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Deb Little, City Clerk
Monte Nelson, Police Chief
Title
Consider Approving a Temporary Expansion of Licensed Premises/Outdoor Dining Permit for Froggy Bottoms River Pub
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves outdoor dining permit from Froggy Ladies, LLC dba Froggy Bottoms River Pub at 307 Water Street subject to the following conditions:
1. Final review and approval of layout and barriers proposed to be used by the Chief of Police once in place.
2. Compliance with all terms and conditions noted in City Code Section 6-70 - Temporary expansion of licensed premises/outdoor sales and service.
Summary Report:
Froggy Bottoms River Pub, located at 307 Water Street, has requested an expansion of their licensed premises to include an area on the Riverwalk for outdoor dining. The proposed area will include 4 tables with chairs and umbrellas on the Riverwalk adjacent to their licensed premises. The licensee has stated that patrons often request to sit next to the river wall to take advantage of the scenic river views. The Riverwalk ends at the licensee’s business. Staff met with the licensee to review the request, regulations and proposed setup. A drawing of the proposed expansion area as well as pictures of the proposed table configurations are attached. Staff recommends approval of the request subject to the conditions noted.
For reference, the main fishing concern as it relates to this area was originally, and continues to be, related to the main privately owned Froggy Bottoms building and patio, not the temporary expansion onto the Riverwalk. The first and majority of conflicts between fishermen and Froggy Bottoms have been related to people fishing from the end of the Riverwalk, near the door to Froggy Bottoms, and casting upstream around the Froggy’s building. There have been instances of lures and hooks landing on the original patio/deck of Froggy Bottoms. In the last two years, there have been several complaints of fishermen who fished next to the expansion area on the Riverwalk, while Froggy’s was using the expansion area, close to people seated at tables on the Riverwalk. Since September of 2016, police do not have records of any fishing complaints/incidents related to this area.
Froggy Bottoms has used this area in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 with no violations of the liquor license or the temporary expansion area during this time. The application has been reviewed for compliance with requirements in the City Code. As in past years, proposed barriers meet the requirements of the ordinance, but do not represent a significant deterrent to misbehavior with respect to alcohol consumption. Security in the service of alcohol will largely depend on the wait staff and the operation of the business.
City Code Section 6-70 permits the holder of any retail liquor license for premises located in the C-1 or C-2 zoning districts of the City to apply for a permit for temporary expansion of its licensed premises, for an area directly adjacent to and contiguous with the permanently licensed premises on an annual basis. A copy of this section of the code is attached.
Alternative Options:
Council may reject this request, modify the proposed area or delay action to a future meeting.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
The expanded service area would be in effect immediately upon approval.