A local tavern owner withdrew his request to eliminate a restriction prohibiting outdoor seating at his establishment.

Watershed Tavern owner Edwin Mitchell decided against pursuing the request after learning the additional seating required more parking and restroom facilities.

The Watershed Tavern currently seats between 45 to 50 patrons. Mitchell wanted to seat as many as 29 more outside. He believed his request met the state’s threshold for increasing occupancy without triggering more state and local ordinances.

The planning board ruled Mitchell’s application as incomplete. The board requested more information about including an additional 29 parking spaces, four handicapped parking spots, and additional restroom facilities.

Mitchell told the board a state official indicated his plan to add seating for less than 30 wouldn’t trigger more regulations. He told the board complying with more regulations wasn’t worth it. He believed the additional seating would benefit the business for only a few days in July and August.

“I don’t want to go through a giant thing for this tiny thing,” Mitchell said. “The number of hours this request impacts is so minute it’s not worth it.”

Planning Board Vice Chairman Fran McBrearty told Mitchell he could resubmit his application in June. But the document needs further explanation on including the additional facilities. The proposal may require a site plan review.

“I can see a lot of your reasoning and understand a lot of your reasoning,” McBrearty said. “But I also see the neighborhood’s side of it, and you would need to provide more data before the board can make a decision.”

Mitchell’s application was the only agenda item.