Commission approves permanent outdoor seating and alcohol service at Putt Putt’s Bar with conditions

The planning commission approved a special land use and site plan request on Aug. 14 to convert part of the surface parking lot at 1148 West Fulton Street into a permanent outdoor seating area with alcohol service for Charlie’s Company dba Putt Putt’s Bar.

Pat Fisher, the owner, told the commission the outdoor seating was established during the COVID response and has operated for roughly five years with no incidents. Fisher said the business relied on that seating for walk‑in trade and thanked staff for assistance preparing the application.

Staff described the proposal as similar to prior approvals in the business district but noted that when outdoor service is within 300 feet of residential uses it requires special land use approval. Commissioners focused on safe circulation, the drive aisle, fencing and ADA compliance. Commissioners and staff agreed the east patio should be reduced to 18 feet by 40 feet to avoid conflicts with vehicular circulation, that the new fencing should match existing fencing, and that ADA barrier‑free parking spaces should be restriped to meet minimum code requirements; the parking waiver would be extended to accommodate those changes.

The commission approved the request with conditions including: hours limited to no later than 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday–Saturday; east patio dimensions reduced to 18x40 feet; new fencing consistent with the existing north patio fencing; permanent fencing installed to delineate the patio; and restriping of ADA barrier‑free spaces to meet code (with the parking waiver extended as necessary).