The City of Lawrence licensing board voted to deny requests to allow outdoor cooking on seasonal patios, citing public-safety concerns about fire risk and passersby. The board’s action was recorded after applicants said they had been operating with permission for several weeks and that police and fire officials had attended recent gatherings.

The board’s denial centers on safety in the downtown area, which the record identifies as portions of Essex Street and Broadway with many buildings more than 100 years old; the decision-maker noted that open-flame cooking in front of such structures raises a heightened fire hazard and a risk to pedestrians, including children. Applicants told the board they had been cooking outdoors for roughly four to six weeks and that police and fire personnel had been present at events; they said no incidents occurred.

The applicants said they believed they had permission from a city office to operate and asked to continue through the summer. Licensing staff and board members said the operators did not hold the required license for outdoor cooking and referenced municipal code sections in discussion; the transcript record contains a cited code reference phrased as “chapter 140 section 143” (exact ordinance citation not specified in the record).

On the motion to deny the requests to cook on patios, Commissioner Lea moved to deny and Commissioner Morales seconded. The board voted to deny the request; the motion carried with the votes recorded as yes by Commissioner Lea and Commissioner Morales. The decision was recorded as denial of the cooking requests; no new permits were granted at the meeting.

The board’s discussion separated three points: (1) safety concerns about open-flame cooking next to older, closely spaced buildings; (2) concern for pedestrians and the possibility that children could touch cooking equipment; and (3) whether applicants held a formal license versus informal permission. The applicants argued they had operated without incident and requested clarity on how to proceed.

Next steps: the record does not show a directive to staff to reopen the item or to issue a conditional permit; it shows only the denial vote at this meeting. Applicants may return with clarified licenses or applications at a later date.