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Council grants temporary airlock for Boat Tow restaurant despite downtown design prohibition
Summary
Gravity House's Boat Tow was granted a revocable temporary-use approval to install a fabric airlock for winter months (authorized for up to 127 days per winter season); staff noted the commercial design guidelines currently preclude such enclosures and recommended conditions and future code work. The council approved the request after discussion about materiality and a possible future code amendment.
Council approved a temporary-use resolution authorizing a removable "airlock" enclosure for the Boat Tow restaurant's street-facing entrance for the winter season after hearing from applicants and staff. Gravity House representatives described a Sunbrella fabric enclosure with an aluminum frame and breakaway code-compliant egress; they said the structure would be installed for the cold season to reduce heat loss and protect patron comfort. Ben Anderson, community development director, noted the commercial design guidelines generally prohibit such enclosures but described a pathway for temporary-use approvals similar to tent permits.
The council debated material standards, the structure's visibility and whether to limit the authorization to one or two years while staff considers code changes. The resolution as approved allows a revocable temporary airlock to be installed seasonally (December 15'April 15) under the conditions discussed; staff and several council members urged a follow-up work session to consider comprehensive amendments to the commercial design guidelines and related code provisions for temporary enclosures.
