Perrysburg council approves downtown restaurant extending its patio

Perrysburg mayor Nelson Evans, left, and finance director David Creps attend Tuesday's city council meeting in Perrysburg.

The Blade/Lori King
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Perrysburg City Council green-lighted a lease agreement tonight that would permit a restaurant in the historic downtown to extend its patio seating onto the sidewalk, but not without some concerns.

Swig Charcuterie and Suds plans to expand its existing outdoor seating area on the side of its building at 219 Louisiana Ave. by 6 feet and connect it with a new patio area extending 13 feet from the front of the building, with a fence enclosing the whole area.

The city's planning and historic landmarks commissions had approved the plans, and council approved the one-year lease of the sidewalk space for $25 by a 4-2 vote.

The ordinance was introduced as an emergency measure, which requires five yes votes. With two nos and the absence of councilman Timothy McCarthy, the ordinance passed and still goes forward, but the lease will be delayed 30 days.

Council president Joseph Lawless and councilman J. Todd Grayson voted against the ordinance, expressing concern that the remaining area for pedestrian traffic was only 5 feet wide and that people would have to jog around the front patio and garden space in the plan.

"I'm really opposed to us creating an obstacle course in the downtown walking area," Mr. Lawless said.

Restaurant owner Jim Hodulik, right, was at at Perrysburg City Council meeting Tuesday where the council agreed to let Hodulik extend his restaurant's patio on to the sidewalk.

Restaurant owner Jim Hodulik, who attended the council meeting, said he would consider modifications that would address their concerns. He said he needed plan approval to proceed with his liquor license application.

Mayor Nelson Evans said the delay in the lease would allow Mr. Hodulik to continue with plans to build the fence but not permit outdoor seating or service. The city's patio season is from March 15 to Oct. 31.

In other matters, city council approved the following, all unanimously:

- A bid of $227,878.14 from Crestline Paving to begin laying asphalt on the multi-use path along the Maumee River. Councilman John Kevern said after an Ohio Department of Transportation grant, the city's financial responsibility would be $45,575 for this phase of the project.

- Approved the purchase of a new plow truck from Nollenberger Truck Center of Perrysburg for $136,550.

- Entered into a job creation grant agreement with Owens-Brockway Glass Container, a wholly owned subsidiary of Owens-Illinois Inc., for $15,000. The firm's expansion is expected to result in 45 new jobs and a net payroll of $3,375,000, which the city estimates will generate $50,625 in income tax.

- Contracted with Underground Utilities for $1,293,327.70, and with Arcadis for $197,500 to perform work on the Cherry Street Sewer Separation project. 

Contact Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer at rconklin@theblade.com or 419-356-8786.