The Franklin Town Council agreed Monday night to draft a proposed lease that would give Root + Barrel access to the property between Town Hall and the restaurant to expand its outdoor dining area.
While the council members were generally in favor of the idea, some of them did not agree with the proposed rent of $1,200 a year.
“I’m trying to look at it from both sides,” said Council Member Joe Collins, questioning how many additional customers the restaurant could serve and how many months of the year the restaurant could use the space due to the weather. He felt like charging only $100 a month rent was not being a good steward of the town’s property.
“You’re getting nothing for it now, Joe,” replied Virginia Murphy, one of the restaurant’s 18 owners, who attended Monday’s meeting.
Council Member David Culpepper said he thought they were being good stewards, “knowing we are getting some money, but we are providing something people are asking for. People want to have outdoor dining, it’s in our comp plan. We spent $90,000 for that.”
The restaurant owners estimate they can seat 40 people in the 600-square-foot space.
“All we’re trying to do, at great expense to ourselves and none to the town, is provide a little bit extra space where people can sit with their dogs and have a nice meal,” Murphy said.
The town will give 30 days notice to the public of its intent to lease the property for three years. Once approved, construction is expected to take 30-45 days once permits are received.
The proposed lease will include rent of $1,200 for the first year, $1,500 the second year, and $1,800 the third year. As part of the agreement, the restaurant also will be responsible for:
• All maintenance, repair and upkeep on the patio,
• Fencing off the area with “admittance only by hosts” (cats and dogs only animals allowed) and signage indicating “no alcohol allowed beyond fenced area,”
• Indemnity insurance as required by town.
The next Town Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, March 7 in the boardroom on the lower level of Town Hall.
More coverage from Monday’s Town Council meeting will be in the Feb. 16 edition of The Franklin Press.