Council vote removes restrictions from new business’s outside seating area
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, 9 p.m. — Prior to its monthly working session Tuesday, the Bardstown City Council met briefly in a special-called meeting to hold first reading on an amended zoning change that it previously approved in July.
The Bardstown City Council gave initial approve of an amended zoning change that will remove restrictions on the operating hours of the 3rd Street Tap House’s outdoor seating area at the rear of the business. Final approval is expected at the council’s next meeting on Sept. 8.
The council had approved a zoning change request from Troy Dennison for his new business, 3rd Street Tap House, a craft beer and distilled spirits bar opening this month at 112 North Third St. The zoning change allows the business to sell alcohol by the drink.
However, the zoning change included restrictions on the hours of operation of the 3rd Street Tap House’s outdoor seating area located at the rear of the building. The planning commission recommended limiting the outdoor seating area’s operating hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Dennison questioned the restrictions on the hours of outdoor operation, since the city’s alcohol control ordinances allow alcohol sales Monday thru Saturday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 1 a.m., City Clerk Barbie Bryant told the council.
Mayor John Royalty said he didn’t think it fair to restrict one just one business. Other nearby businesses have the same alcohol licenses but are not required to operate with restricted hours, he said.
The restrictions were added by the planning commission when a neighboring property owner expressed concerns of how noise from the outdoor areas may impact his tenants who live nearby.
After the meeting, City Attorney Tim Butler said the a public hearing on the matter was unnecessary. The second reading of the ordinance will likely come at the Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, council meeting.
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