BCAT News

A Burlington restaurant has been approved to keep outdoor seating initially allowed in response to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

Tavern in the Square at 100 District Avenue was granted a special permit by the Planning Board to make an outdoor deck with 56 seats a permanent part of the establishment. This brings the total number of seats in the restaurant up to 420.

Attorney Mark Vaughan, representing the restaurant ownership group, said the management has said the extra outdoor seating has been popular among customers as COVID numbers have started to tick back up and people are once again becoming uncomfortable being maskless inside when places are busy.

“Basically the application before you is to use that on a permanent basis,” he said. “The outdoor deck has been well received and they’d like the opportunity to continue to use it.”

Vaughan said that though the permit does technically constitute an increase in the total number of seats in the restaurant, Tavern in the Square would not be able to use all seats available.

“While technically it does constitute additional seating, there would be 56 seats on the deck, the reality is that it’s really being done to provide optionality for patrons who may want to choose to eat outside as opposed to inside,” he said. “Based on the staff and the size of the kitchen they really aren’t able to provide service to all tables at one time.”

“They are trying to be responsive to everything that has been going on for the past year and a half and folks are looking for that freedom to dine outside,” Vaughan added.

There was some discussion about the installation of bollards to protect diners from the possibility of a vehicle veering off Mall Road and striking the deck. Vaughan said that due to the distance, the location of the deck and the fact that there are existing trees blocking the way he didn’t think safety was an issue.

Some members of the board, however, disagreed. Vice Chair William Gaffney pushed hard for planters with bollards hidden inside and said that along with providing additional protection they would also improve the landscaping.

“From my travels and checking out other places, the more landscaping you have the better,” he said. “It’s more aesthetically pleasing.

In the end the permit was approved on the condition that the restaurant work with the Planning Department and the Police Department to determine if bollards are necessary and to possibly add planters.