Per the staff report prepared for the City Council meeting of May 15th, taking place in the City Council Meeting room at 177 First Street West, beginning at 6pm:
The City intends to establish a comprehensive process for annual permitting and monitoring all sidewalk seating to ensure compliance with all applicable rules and regulations including insurance and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations.
In addition, the general public has expressed a desire to increase outdoor dining and seating options around the Plaza and the proposed ordinance would expand allowable uses to include all restaurants, wine tasting facilities and wine bars, and tap rooms. On April 18, 2024 the proposed ordinance was reviewed and unanimously supported by the Planning Commission.
I’d love to see outdoor seating returned.Lately, the guidelines seem to be unevenly enforced. I have noticed some establishments have had their seating removed and others have metal signs placed in the middle of the sidewalk, as well as outdoor clothing racks displayed,resulting in blocked sidewalks. Please enforce the regulations equitably.