Northville City Council Approves Poole's Tavern Outdoor Seating

The Northville City Council unanimously approved a request by city staff to allow Poole’s Tavern on Main and Hutton streets to continue its outdoor seating on city property at 70 cents per square foot. Nonliquor-serving establishments pay the city 50 cents per square foot, according to City Manager Patrick Sullivan.

Previously, the request was considered based on the number of chairs and tables used on the city’s sidewalk area, next to the tavern alongside the circle at Hutton Park. On Monday night, the council made an approval based on the total area.

In total, Poole’s Tavern will pay the city for 1,330 square feet under the following conditions, according to the city staff’s report:

1. Use of the patio area adjacent to Poole’s and the circular area known as Hutton Park is not to exceed 1,330 square feet;
2. Use is subject to city administration review, including but not limited to the fire chief’s review of the fire code, to determine maximum occupancy (including number of tables and chairs) for each area;
3. Placement of rails, etc., shall allow for pedestrian access to the Marquis parking lot and the sidewalk on East Main Street (between the two outdoor seating areas);
4. Tables and chairs may be left in place seven days a week in the circular area known as Hutton Park;
5. Normal hours of operation for the circular park are to be Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.;
6. Prior to March 14 and after Nov. 7, daily removal of all outdoor seating furnishings is required per ordinance;
7. All other provisions of the sidewalk cafe/outdoor seating ordinance to be adhered to.

But there was some discussion by some council members and residents about the 70-cent fee.

“That’s quite a bargain,” said Councilwoman Michele Fecht. “I wonder if we should treat that section a little differently … it’s subsidized by taxpayer dollars.”

Resident Jerry Mittman said that because the tavern would use the seating for eight months out of the year, it was a “lopsided agreement in favor of the applicant.”

Mittman—who chaired the citizens budget committee, which made its recommendations to the City Council late last year on how to save city dollars—said that the budget committee previously recommended that outdoor seating fees, including increases, be reviewed by the council.

Owner John Casey said that the initial request for outdoor seating came at the request of Northville residents. He said that his employees pick up litter in the area regularly and shovel its snow.

Although he said he would be willing to pay a different price, Casey pointed out to the City Council that his proposal was based on the 70-cent-per-square-foot rate all businesses pay.

After some discussion, council members voted unanimously to approve the proposal and table the issue of a price increase on outdoor seating for their April budget sessions.