This photo from a Lawrence Historic Resources Commission report shows a proposed arch that would connect to existing railings and act as an entryway into the patio area in front of Jass Restaurant, 1012 Massachusetts St.

The owner of a Massachusetts Street restaurant is not allowed to install an archway he had made with the intent of bringing a bit of New Orleans’ French Quarter aesthetic to downtown Lawrence.

The City Commission voted 4-1 to deny the request from Vic Allred, owner of Jazz, a Louisiana-inspired Cajun and Creole restaurant that opened in October at 1021 Massachusetts St.

The action upheld a decision from the city’s Historic Resources Commission, which decided the wrought-iron archway did not meet the city’s Downtown Design Guidelines that call for railings and barriers to “reflect the character of the area.”

This photo from a Lawrence Historic Resources Commission report shows a proposed arch that would connect to existing railings and act as an entryway into the patio area in front of Jass Restaurant, 1012 Massachusetts St.

The arch also did not meet a stipulation that the height of railings and barriers be 36 to 42 inches tall.

Allred argued, and Commissioner Matthew Herbert agreed, that an archway should not fall under guidelines intended for railings and barriers.

“I think there was some misconception that I want to change Mass. Street into Bourbon Street,” Allred said. “That’s not true… I want to bring the experience of New Orleans through the aura of the atmosphere and quality of the food. It’s an integral part of the concept.”

When the arch was first considered in December, Vice Mayor Leslie Soden said she would vote against it because it could “create a precedent” that other downtown businesses would follow.

After they could not come to a decision at the December meeting, commissioners chose to defer the vote. All of the commissioners besides Herbert said Tuesday they’d stick to what the Downtown Design Guidelines allowed.

“The rules have been established, and they work pretty well,” Mayor Mike Amyx said.