[media-credit name=’NATALIE WEINBERGER/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]To counter the negative effects of the smoking ban, a relatively small number of bar owners in the City of Madison have sought an extension of their establishments to allow drinking outside.

Since July 1, the first day of smoking-ban enforcement, nine Madison taverns have brought requests for the addition of an outdoor patio to City Hall. There are currently more than 240 bars in the City of Madison.

Trent Kramer, the owner of Vintage Spirits and Grill, which has an outdoor patio that closes a half hour before bar time, said patrons' ability to drink outside has not nullified the economic loss since the ban.

"I would think that with the patio, we would see no negative effects," Kramer said. "But the smoking ban has had a harsh effect on afternoon business. We are not getting any happy-hour business like we used to."

Kramer said he is not sure how the ban has shrunk his happy-hour crowd, but said the smoking ban can be the only reason for the damaging effect.

Dennis Komassa, a manager at State Street Brats, said business has been down since the ban.

The lack of expansion applications could also be attributed to the arduous process it takes to obtain a permit to expand. A disgruntled manager of The Red Shed said the bar's owner is looking into getting an expansion permit, but has to go through several committees before the Common Council can grant it.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, concurred with the discontented Red Shed manager.

"We all know that the approval process can take a long time," Verveer said at a Bassett Neighborhood meeting. "The Common Council must approve a permit, but it takes awhile to even get to that point."

In order to receive a permit to expand the premises, a tavern must call building inspection to examine the establishment to determine if it is possible to include an outdoor patio.

With a request put in with building inspection, the city will form a team composed of staff from building inspection, planning and development and the fire department to decide the feasibility of the expansion request.

After city officials review the establishment, the tavern owner must receive building permits and an extension of his or her Alcohol License Review Committee license. To do this, the owner must pass through the ALRC and the City Plan Commission.

Finally, before physically changing the bar, Common Council must approve the owner's request.