Yard Bar Wants Event Permit to Open Only on Soccer Game Days



The owner of the Yard Bar is requesting a temporary use permit to hold outdoor events adjacent to its building at 613 W. Central Blvd (MAP). These events would occur on Orlando City Soccer stadium game days plus several additional days during the year. The request goes before City Council Monday April 24. 

In November 2016, City Council approved a variance for the subject property, allowing on-site alcohol sales at its outdoor beer garden within 1000 ft. of a church (case VAR2016-00111). The application noted that the Yard Bar proposes a three-phase operation: phase 1 is just the outdoor portion, phase 2 will extend operations inside the building, and phase 3 will allow on-site brewing. Currently, the Yard Bar operates only the outdoor portion).

The site layout and photo show that the outdoor events include signage, wooden picnic tables, metal high-top tables, movable bars, a stage, food vendors, string lights, portable toilets and other accessories. There is also a vehicle with a sign on it, parked near the corner of the site. All of these items will be removed at the end of each event at the site.

The Yard Bar sign is a projecting roof sign. While such signs are not allowed by code, the applicant will remove the sign at the conclusion of each event and thus staff can support it as part of the temporary use permit.

City Staff recommended approval of the requested temporary use permit, as described above, subject to the following conditions:
  1. This approval is valid for a period of one year (until April 24, 2018), with the possibility of one one-year administrative extension reviewed by the Planning Official. During this time, events may be held only on MLS stadium event days plus a maximum of ten additional days.
  2. The applicant must give the city Planning Official advance written notice of the intention to hold an event during a non-MLS stadium game day.
  3. The applicant must obtain a building permit for the Yard Bar sign (to review safe installation, electric connections, etc.)