Aldermen to discuss smoking ordinance

The Branson Board of Aldermen are to discuss Thursday further changes to the proposed smoking ordinance with regard to the definition of enclosed spaces.

Branson Planning and Development Director Joel Hornickel said the staff worked with the definition of enclosed spaces in response to comments from two specific business owners and managers about their patio spaces.

Time Out Sports Bar and Grille Owner Brett Scott and Outback Pub Manager Matt Stoll voiced their concern of the definition of enclosed space after they reviewed the most updated language of the ordinance, which allows smoking on patios.

Scott and Stoll both said the current definition, which designated a structure with two walls as an enclosed structure, would prevent them from having smoking on their patios.

Hornickel said the language has not been solidified yet, but the new definition will read something to the effect of: Enclosed spaces will have four walls that prevent the free flow of air.

Hornickel said the Board of Aldermen didnt wish to include a grandfather clause for the Outback Pub or Time Out, as requested by Stoll and Scott at the Sept. 30 board meeting. He said the goal of city staff is to write an ordinance that works best for businesses in town, but one that also does not show favoritism.

Scott said he is pleased with the progress the city has made with the ordinance and the staffs efforts.

Im glad to see theyre doing their due diligence, and if they keep going they way they are, Im pretty sure well get something that will work for us, Scott said.

Scott and Stoll were concerned that the investments each business had made into the patios would have to be undone in order to comply with the ordinance to allow smoking on the patios. Scotts restaurant has drop-down curtains that help maintain the temperature and the patio at the Outback Pub has many windows that make up walls.

Hornickel said he believes that all the major issues residents and businesses owners had with the proposed ordinance have been addressed. The goal, he said, is to fix it now so there are as few amendments to the bill as possible on first reading Oct. 14.

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Aldermen to discuss smoking ordinance