Commission allows winter 'igloos' at 1144 North High Street through March; mini-golf to be removed in January

The Town Building Commission approved Certificate of Appropriateness application COA2400638 permitting two temporary patio “igloos” on the patio facing North High Street at 1144 North High Street for the winter season, with conditions that the igloos be removed by the end of March and that a temporary putt-putt installation be removed in January.

Staff presented the application, noting the igloos were already installed prior to approval and that the property had an outstanding code violation related to two community bar tables. Staff described two options: continue the application to allow the applicant to resolve linked violations and finalize landscaping details with the designated subcommittee, or approve the application with conditions (remove hay bales and igloos in favor of patio furniture, provide timeframe for use, and resolve the exterior code violation prior to certificate issuance). Staff also noted prior landscaping and that the owner had submitted revised planters to the subcommittee for review.

The applicant and other speakers described mixed views on the igloos and the temporary putt-putt: the applicant said some igloos had not held up well and that one remained in use; commissioners and other members of the public raised concerns about the number of disparate elements on the patio and urged a more cohesive design, including landscape plantings. Several commissioners said the igloos could remain through the winter but that the putt-putt should be removed earlier. The commission directed that the igloos be removed by the end of March and that the putt-putt be removed in January and approved COA2400638 with those conditions; a second was recorded and the voice vote passed with “aye.”

Why it matters: The decision affects the public-facing appearance of a downtown patio and balances business flexibility for winter outdoor seating with neighborhood and streetscape design expectations. Staff required the applicant to finalize landscaping with the commercial landscape subcommittee before a certificate is issued.

Details: Staff referenced the city standards for outdoor dining and site improvements (staff cited “incremental patios and outdoor dining, private property, page 3.14” and “311613, standards for site improvements”). The applicant installed linear planters and submitted revised landscaping plans to the designated subcommittee for review; staff said final approval of landscaping will be done by the subcommittee and any outstanding exterior code violations must be resolved prior to COA issuance.

Ending: Staff will follow up with the applicant after subcommittee review; the commission agreed to revisit future seasonal requests and advised the applicant consider a design consultant for cohesive patio presentation.