DERRY— A downtown eatery may be getting closer to offering food and drinks on the roof.
The owners of Halligan Tavern, at 32 West Broadway, hope to bring rooftop dining to their establishment.
Last week, the Planning Board gave approval to the plan after many months of hearings, design upgrades and discussion.
In May 2010, the Planning Board gave the Halligan Tavern a conditional approval for a rooftop seating area, citing six areas that needed attention before a final approval was given.
Halligan's road to the roof hasn't been an easy one.
Last year, some neighbors said they didn't want rooftop seating at the tavern.
Abutters Barbara Woodward of Wilton-based Property Portfolio Group and local businessman Steve Trefethen both submitted appeals to the town, saying planning decisions violated town zoning ordinances — and harmed their business and tenants.
To gain the town's approval, Halligan owners had to provide updated fire escape plans and get approval from the fire department and code enforcement office, among other conditions.
Legal issues still loom, but in the town's eyes, tavern owners have met all conditions for approval.
"Finally," Planning Board Chairman David Granese said at the Jan. 25 meeting.
The Halligan Tavern was once a downtown firehouse, used by Derry firefighters until 2005. The station was sold and renovated as the Firehall Pub and Grille. The property was sold at foreclosure auction in the summer of 2009 and reopened as Halligan's Tavern in January 2010.
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