Planning commission approves outdoor seating and parking waiver at 600 Bridal NW

The Planning Commission approved a request on Sept. 26 to amend a previously issued special land use for a bar and restaurant at 600 Bridal Street NW to add outdoor seating and a parking waiver.

Staff said the amendment proposes outdoor seating for about 40 occupants, two pergolas, a screened cooler/refuse enclosure and that the outdoor area would operate to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Rob Wall, the property owner, said the patio will let patrons enjoy limited-season weather and that the cooler equipment should not be noisier than a typical exterior HVAC unit.

Commissioners and the project architect clarified fence heights and screening: an 8-foot wood fence will screen the cooler and trash area, with a reduced 6-foot fence along the property line and a 3-foot open wrought-iron fence at the street edge. Staff and the architect said planter and sidewalk clearances will be finalized during permitting to preserve a 6-foot pedestrian clearway.

Commissioners found the proposed scale and hours compatible with the TCC zone district, noted available on-street parking and transit, and pointed to the absence of outdoor live entertainment in the application as a mitigating factor for residential impact. The motion approved the special land use and site plan review for Bridge Street Bar LLC (Rob Wall), waived certain parking requirements, required that outdoor amplified sound comply with the city noise ordinance and confirmed that any expansion would require additional review. The vote passed by voice vote.