Blog Do Minneapolis residents actually want more patio restrictions?

It’s no secret that Minnesota weather is a bit of fickle mistress. During the four months of the year (if we’re lucky) that people actually want to be outside, there are few activities quite as refreshing as enjoying a cold, liquory beverage underneath the warm city sky. But thanks to a newly proposed ordinance from City Council member Meg Tuthill that made its way to City Hall this week, the window for optimum summertime enjoyment might get even shorter.

In an effort to curtail noise problems, Tuthill’s proposal seeks to limit the capacity of outdoor bar space in Minneapolis, including patios and rooftops, and would also ban any amplified outdoor music after 10 p.m. Businesses that don’t comply with the rules would be slapped with sanctions on behalf of the city.

News outlets picked up on the proposal in March, and by this Monday the issue had made its way to a City Council committee meeting. Naturally, bar owners are upset, especially those from Uptown and Lyndale-Lake, considering that downtown Minneapolis would be exempt from the restrictions. More than 100 bar owners reportedly came to City Hall Monday night to protest the ordinance, which they say would severely hinder business and cost them money every night. In addition to cutting clientele to a smaller size, some owners believe the ordinance as it stands is so broad that they would have to keep tabs on the number of smokers in front of their establishments at all times and would also need to count those waiting for tables outside as part of their occupancy count. Randy Stanley of Parasole Restaurant Holdings went as far as to call parts of the ordinance “Draconian” in nature, which no doubt sent many lawmakers straight back to their political science texts.

Tuthill, according to the Star Tribune, spoke of the noise problem, stating: “Residents are e-mailing me saying they’re putting their children to bed with earplugs and a fan running in the summer ... You tell me if that’s acceptable.” In other words: Won’t somebody please think of the children!? 

KSTP, which is not even a particularly cool Minnesota news station, posted a poll asking viewers for their opinions on the ordinance. More than 73 percent said no more restrictions should be put in place, while a little more than 4 percent reported that they “don’t care.” The ordinance will be sent to the full City Council on June 16. Both parties, in a true bit of unfashionable compromise, are hoping to reach a peaceful agreement. 

What do you think? It seems that many people don’t favor new ordinances on outdoor patios in Minneapolis, especially in patio-centric areas like Uptown. But is there something we’re missing? Do the rights of upset bar neighbors outweigh the rights of thousands of drunken bar patrons and owners?