Restaurants, Bars Want to Take Advantage of Patio Weather

, and are asking permission ot open patios that would allow for outdoor food and drink service — and places for smokers.

Dominic LaLicata of Mad Dog Saloon is requesting approval from the City of Greenfield to construct an outside patio on the southeast corner of the buklding and expand the area where alcohol is allowed.

His proposal will be heard by the city’s Planning Commission on Tuesday.

In 2010, the Common Council granted LaLicata a special use permit to build a $12,000 patio to allow for outdoor smoking, but the alderpersons denied the extension of the liquor license.

LaLicata decided the patio wasn’t worth building without the liquor extension, and smokers do not have a designated smoking area.

The Greenfield Police Department expressed concerns the patio would create a noise nuisance for the adjacent residents, according to the Planning Commission meeting packet.

Coincidentally, two other Greenfield restaurants are expected to have similar proposals heard by the Planning Commission on Tuesday.

Club Paragon owners have proposed to a construct a large, outside uncovered fenced patio on the northeast corner of the building. A prior request for a patio on the southwest corner of the building, largely due to the state’s indoor smoking ban, was approved in 2009.

The patio would be accessible only from the inside of the establishment and would be surrounded with fencing intended to both absorb sound and keep patrons contained.

“We have seen a growing need to have food/drink service outside during our summer months,” co-owner Jeff Willms wrote in a letter to the city June 5. “The trend for dining customers has been to demand this outdoor atmosphere. Rather than see our customers go elsewhere in the summer months, we feel it is necessary to provide this alternative to our inside atmosphere.”

Sandra Madrigal, the new co-owner of Los Mariachis, also wants to add a patio on the south side of her bar/restaurant to accommodate customers.

In her letter to the Plan Commission, Madrigal said business has tripled in the seven months she has been co-owner, but in the last four weeks, as the weather has turned nicer, she has seen a steep decrease.

Both Willms and Madrigal are requesting an expansion of the alcohol premises area to include their proposed patios.

Looking for the best place to have a drink or grab a bit outdoors in Greenfield? Greenfield Patch has .