To help local restaurants do business under the “new normal” of social distancing, the city of Warrenton will temporarily allow eateries to use public sidewalks for outdoor …
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To help local restaurants do business under the “new normal” of social distancing, the city of Warrenton will temporarily allow eateries to use public sidewalks for outdoor dining.
Warrenton’s Board of Aldermen voted May 5 to allow restaurants to set up sidewalk dining for the next three months. Doing so will help make up the difference for reduced seating capacity indoors.
The new freedom does come with some restrictions. Permission for sidewalk dining only lasts until Sept. 2 unless it gets extended, and restaurants must apply for a free permit before setting up tables.
Tables can only be set up on a sidewalk that is adjacent to the building, and must leave 5 feet of space for pedestrian traffic. All furniture has to be moved inside when the restaurant is closed.
“As part of (their permit), the requester will need to provide a drawing showing the area that they’re requesting to be used for the dining,” said City Administrator Terri Thorn. “If we start to get complaints, or if the sidewalk area is not being kept the way it should, then we will need to address that just as we would any other situation ... per our code.”
Included in the sidewalk dining provisions are safety and appearance standards for outdoor seating. Tables and chairs have to be made of metal or wood — no plastic folding tables allowed. Outdoor items also can’t be built in such a way that they damage the sidewalk pavement or create a hazard for pedestrians.
Outdoor furnishings are required to be maintained in a “safe and attractive condition,” according to the city.
Warrenton’s resolution allowing the sidewalk dining also places responsibility on restaurant owners to keep their section of the sidewalk clear of trash and food waste.
City officials commented that the temporary permission for sidewalk dining could be a trial run for a permanent change if it doesn’t cause any issues. Thorn advised the aldermen that any permanent change should include more specific standards for the style of outdoor furnishings to provide a consistent aesthetic.
Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch observed that other merchants might seek to display their own products once the city allows restaurants to do so. He said such a thing might not be a bad trend for local businesses.
“I think one of the challenges for downtown merchants, or any merchant, is how do you get your inventory out where the public can see it?” Auch commented. He said allowing retailers to place their products outdoors could encourage foot traffic into Warrenton’s shops.
Parallel to the sidewalk dining provisions, aldermen approved a second resolution May 5 to allow restaurants to also host outdoor dining on private property adjacent to their businesses. In particular, restaurants will temporarily be able to set up tables in their parking lots, Thorn said.
The permission and rules for those outdoor dining spaces will be similar to sidewalk dining, and will also expire on Sept. 2.
However, Thorn said this second resolution is not being considered for a permanent change, as restaurants will require their full parking capacity once their operations go back to normal.
