HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated September 28, 1999 }
ITEM #
DATE September 28, 1999
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION
22.4 RELATING TO SIDEWALK CAFES
BACKGROUND:
The City Manager's Office has received a request from Mr. Scott Meyers to locate a
sidewalk cafe outside of the Short Shop (formally the Mane Event) on West Street. At
first staff thought there would be no problem satisfying this citizen request until it was
brought to our attention that Section 22.4 of the Municipal Code currently describes a
sidewalk cafe as a place...
"... for use in connection with the consumption of food and non-alcoholic beverages
sold to the public from, or in, an adjoining restaurant."
Obviously, when this section of the Code was introduced to allow sidewalk cafes, the
staff did not contemplate any desire for tables and chairs to be placed outside
to service any establishment other than a "restaurant." This restricted availability to
only restaurants seems too limiting. Today, many establishments (convenience stores,
gas stations, etc.) sell pre-packaged foods. The ability to place tables and chairs
outside of these establishments seem reasonable, as long as they abide by the same
rules as other sidewalk cafes.
In order to accommodate this change, the existing Code should be changed to specify
that--in addition to restaurants--the definition for sidewalk cafes will include "other
indoor businesses selling food for consumption on the premises."
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . The City Council can approve the attached resolution amending the definition of a
sidewalk cafe to include other indoor businesses selling food for consumption on the
premises.
2. The City Council can decide not to take any action to broaden the definition of sidewalk
cafes. This position will limit the use of sidewalk cafes for restaurants only.
3. The City Council can decide not to take any action to broaden the definition of
sidewalk cafes. The specific request can be accommodated with the issuance of a
temporary obstruction permit by the City Manager.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative #1.
This action will broaden the definition of a sidewalk cafe to include all indoor businesses
that sell food for consumption on their premises. This action seems reasonable given the
growing number of businesses that are not considered restaurants according to the Code
yet are selling pre-packaged food on their premises.
COUNCIL ACTION: