UPDATED: Stillwater Planning Commission Gives The Green Room's Rooftop Patio the Go-Ahead

The Stillwater Planning Commission on Monday night gave The Green Room's proposal for a rooftop patio a thumbs up.

The  proposed a 450-square foot rooftop patio that willl offer full-service dining in the shadows of the Stillwater Lift Bridge. The patio will seat up to 30 people.

Chef Christopher Durant told the Pioneer Press he and Green Room co-owner Stanton Schmitt would like to have the patio open later this summer.

"Obviously, we have a lot of red tape to cut through yet, but if we could get it open this summer, we'd love for that to happen," Durant told the Pioneer Press. "But if it looks like it's going to be later in the summer, we'd have to wait until next spring. We'd need to have a return on our investment for this year. We don't have very deep pockets."

The approval is subject to the following conditions:

1. All revisions to the approved plan shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission.
2. The applicant shall submit a SAC determination letter prior to the issuance of a building permit.
3. The application shall submit plans on the roof top deck certified by a structural engineer prior to the issuance of a building permit.
4. Plans shall be approved by the city engineer, building inspector and fire marshal prior to the issuance of a building permit.
5. The applicant shall receive all appropriate Washington County Health Department approvals.
6. The applicant shall revise their liquor license with the city of Stillwater prior to serving alcohol on the rooftop patio.
7. The property or business owner shall purchase 4 monthly parking permits to compensate for deficit in on-site parking between May 1 and Oct. 31 each year.
8. Rooftop deck (excluding walkways) shall be limited to 450 square feet unless the state accessibility code would allow additional nonaccessible space on the roof top patio.
9. Drinks of all types are permitted on the roof top patio; however, no physical bar shall be located on the rooftop. An ice station with water and non alcoholic beverages is permitted on the rooftop patio.
10. The edge of the patio shall be no closer than 3 feet to the east building edge.
11. No smoking shall be permitted on the roof top patio.
12. No amplified music shall be permitted on the roof top patio.
13. Food and beverage service for all customers on the outdoor patio shall cease at 10:30 p.m. daily. All customers shall exit the outdoor patio area by 11 p.m. daily. The permit may be reviewed annually by the Community Development Director in consultation with City Public Safety Departments to consider increasing the hours of operation on the rooftop patio to midnight daily. Hours beyond midnight requires Planning Commission approval.
14. No glassware or glass bottles shall be available on the roof top patio.
15. There shall be no waiting area on the roof top patio.
16. This special use permit shall be reviewed before the Planning Commission and City Council for possible revocation or amending the conditions of this permit if substantial verified complaints, safety issues, or violations of the conditions of this permit are received by the Community Development Director.

The Heritage Preservation Commission on May 7 approved the architectural design. The proposal will need the green light from the planning commission, engineering and fire departments, as well as building officials before a special use permit is issued.

“The area is a perfect spot for a quiet meal with a view,” a letter from Green Room Owners Durant and Schmitt to the city reads. “I believe this location is ideal in preserving both the historic nature of downtown and showcasing the beautiful waterfront and Lift Bridge in Stillwater.”

Patrick Anderson of Marine Leasing told the Pioneer Press he would like city officials to enact a moratorium on rooftop patios.

"I don't think the city is really prepared to deal with all the requests," Anderson told the Pioneer Press. "People think that I'm against rooftop dining, and I'm really not. The city just doesn't have a process in place to make sure that adjoining property owners are adequately protected from the new hazards that come from the rooftop drinking activities."

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