SkyBar Cafe may now legally use its patio as an extension of the lounge.
The patio, which was built in August 2009, was approved by the planning commission, but the owners of SkyBar never requested for it to be used as an extension of the lounge.
"So what we're doing is allowing them to utilize the patio and everything outdoors that they were already using illegally?" asked councilwoman Sheila Eckman, seeking clarification. "I'm just thinking if we deny it, it's gonna be a nightmare to police it."
City Manager Charles Duggan said, "You can't legislate dishonesty."
Councilman Thomas Warden said it seems like the same people try to get away with a lot.
Allowing the patio to be used legally will not have an effect on the occupancy allowed for the facility.
After much deliberation, the council approved the commercial and entertainment use for the lounge, after which Councilman Bob Norman applauded.
In other business, Auburn resident Charles Segrest returned to the council to ask them to rethink building a traffic circle on Cary Drive.
"Please reconsider and hold up on the development of that circle and any other future circles in or around Cary Drive," Segrest said. "The circle will not benefit or slow these people down who refuse to follow the speed limit."
Part of Segrest's dissatisfaction with installing a traffic circle is that he said he feels the money would be more beneficial if used elsewhere.
"If we had that much money to spend, we certainly could improve safety for everyone in the neighborhood," Segrest said.
As an alternative, he suggested installing sidewalks along Cary Drive.
Segrest said while the whole idea of installing a traffic circle came from concerns about speeding along the road, by the time people drive around the circle they are going to speed up to make up for that lost time.
Segrest said he plans to start a petition to show that residents do not want the circle to be installed, though he was not sure whether it would be prepared by the next meeting.
Elsewhere on the agenda, Sean Foote, representative of Jim Parker Family Properties, discussed the building of a telecommunications tower for Knology on Skyway Drive.
The tower would be within 60 to 75 feet of the Auburn University Regional Airport runway.
While it could be as low as 65 feet tall, Foote said it could reach heights as tall as 90 feet.
Foote said Knology has begun doing signal tests to determine how tall the tower needs to be.
"I think everybody's anxious to see this [Knology] come into the city," said councilman Arthur Dowdell.
Jim Parker Family Properties also received permission for the use of a cable office. The office will be used as a payment center.
At the end of the meeting, the owner of Philly Connection, Sunel Merchant, made a special appearance. He was in one of the Twin Towers on 9/11.
His daughter, Saloni, accompanied him.
He said she wanted to do something on her own to help support the public safety department.
In the past, she sold her toys to raise money.
This year, she presented Mayor Bill Ham with money she raised to give to the department.
"The public safety has been doing a great job, and they are the real superheroes," Sunel said.
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