Councilors voted 5-4 in favor of giving a Lincoln Park/West End neighborhood bar the right to put three benches outside where people can drink and smoke. But some councilors hinted that they don't necessarily view the vote as the precedent-setting move many bar owners may want to believe it is.
City councilors Greg Gilbert, Russ Stewart, Russ Stover, Tim Little and Jim Stauber supported the bar's request for outdoor seating. Councilors Laurie Johnson, Garry Krause, Don Ness and Roger Reinert opposed it.
"We are likely going to have a flood of these applications," Ness said. He said he requested a committee meeting between councilors and the police be set up to discuss what the city's policy should be on bars having outdoor seating where customers can smoke.
He wanted to delay voting on the request from Mitch's Bar & Grill until that committee meeting could be held.
"I'm a little uncomfortable moving forward with one, because the moment we do that, we're setting a precedent," Ness said.
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The majority of councilors decided to vote on the proposal Tuesday night anyway.
"As a matter of fairness, we would like the privilege extended to all or to none," said Tom Cox, assistant manager at The Kozy Bar in downtown Duluth.
His bar has requested the city allow him to have a few tables outdoors, and he was upbeat after last night's vote.
"Headline: Victory for the common man," Cox joked.
