Sprinkler fitter Derek Swanson, with Mission Fire Sprinkler LLC, installs a sprinkler head in the Strauss Building which is being renovated to be a restaurant in downtown Chattanooga.City Council members debated, but ultimately deferred for two months a controversial ordinance forcing legally defined “nightclubs” to install costly sprinkler systems.
Councilman Peter Murphy proposed the postponement to study the economic consequences of the measure, which some bar owners have said would put them out of business.
Under the proposal, bars with live entertainment would have a choice to stop serving alcohol after 11 p.m. and reduce occupancy to under 100 or pay tens of thousands of dollars to install a sprinkler system within the next three years.
“The crux of this is public safety,” Councilwoman Sally Robinson said Tuesday. “If you open up your business to the public, that does open up the door to regulation.”
Michael Alfano, owner of the Comedy Catch, was jubilant after the ordinance was deferred.