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City approves temporary patio extensions for present businesses, clarifies barrier, inspection and alcohol rules
Summary
Lawrence City approved temporary outdoor patio extensions for several local businesses and clarified that businesses must provide barriers, arrange inspections through city staff, and follow rules on outdoor alcohol service and fire-rated umbrellas.
The Lawrence City Licensing Board approved temporary outdoor patio extensions for businesses present at the meeting, and clarified rules and inspection steps for outdoor dining and service.
Commissioner Morada moved to extend patio permits for the summer to the businesses in attendance; Commissioner Laird seconded the motion and the board approved it. The motion named Sandia’s, LaGreca and 11 Kitchen as businesses to receive the extension; two other businesses and applications from Saint Anthony’s and Saint Joseph’s Church were tabled to the next meeting.
City staff explained operational and safety requirements repeatedly during the discussion. Antonio, inspectional-services staff, told business representatives that the city does not provide concrete barriers: “So once you have it set up, now that you’re responsible for the barriers, you need to get in touch with Antonio so that he can let us know that you’re ready, and then you can have an inspection by each department.” He and other staff said inspections would include Inspectional Services, the police department and the fire department.
Staff and public-safety officers raised specific compliance points: outdoor alcohol can be served only to patrons seated within the designated patio area and patrons may not walk around outside the area with alcohol; there are no wet bars permitted outside and any umbrellas or outdoor materials must be fire-rated and not block egress. Antonio advised businesses to rent or purchase concrete barriers from private vendors; the city does not supply barriers. Miguel Forsante, representing Victory, asked how to request inspections once a patio is installed; staff reiterated that businesses should contact Antonio when their setup is complete.
Some commissioners raised safety and precedent concerns. One speaker identified as Mike said he opposed certain outdoor cooking and emphasized that older buildings on streets named (for example Broadway and Heston Street) could present higher fire risk; staff responded that outdoor cooking requires separate permissions and licenses and is a different process.
The board also agreed to table Saint Anthony’s (a one‑day alcohol-license application), Saint Joseph’s Church and two other pending patio applicants until the next meeting. The board set the next meeting date as 06/11/2025.
