By Anders Frieberg
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The Iowa City City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday night to allow a third consideration of rooftop service areas at downtown businesses.

The new ordinance will amend City Code to allow the rooftop areas. It will also establish regulations governing their use.

The councilors voted on first consideration on July 16 on a vote of 6-0 in favor (one being absent). The ordinance requires three separate votes to pass.

The new concept was also tied in with proposed amendments to Title 4 and Title 10. This will regulate the sale of alcoholic beverages in concern with the sky-view service and also will provide provisions allowing sidewalk cafés and other businesses in the public right-of-way.

Mayor Matt Hayek said there was growing interest for this space downtown.

“The context behind this is that there is some interest in providing rooftop space for bar and restaurant settings in downtown Iowa City,” he said.

The ordinance also laid out rules and regulations to allow sidewalk cafés to operate in the Riverfront Crossings District.

“I anticipate that this will pass at the next meeting, in which case, it will become a new ordinance,” Hayek said

Leah Cohen, the owner of Bo-James restaurant and bar, said the city talked with downtown business owners about the new ordinance at Tuesday afternoon’s downtown restaurant caucus.

“Jeff Fruin came and talked to us a little bit about it, since it’s been in the news lately,” Cohen said.

Hayek said city staff worked with downtown business owners to write the ordinance.

“This came from the business community, so we have the support of the Downtown District,” he said. “They worked with staff to make sure this could happen, while also ensuring protection of nearby residential areas from noise and for accessibility. There will be elevator requirements and other things.”