Outside seating OK’d for downtown
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Outdoor dining seems to be growing in popularity with or without the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To that end, the Warren City Council signed off on an ordinance that paves the way for restaurants in the downtown commercial district to put out their own outside seating on city sidewalks.
Vince DeJoy, the city's director of zoning, codes and economic development, said the city-owned tables and chairs -- specifically along Second Ave. -- have been popular but can't be reserved by the specific restaurants in the area.
The city isn't in a position to purchase more but DeJoy said that "local owners want to provide furnishings" to be placed in front of their businesses.
He said it would increase seating opportunities for patrons and give the restaurants the ability to reserve tables for use by their patrons.
Jim Douvlos, owner of The Plaza, provided photos laying out how such an arrangement would work and said the inability for his restaurant to reserve the tables is a challenge.
"(I) thought if I purchased my own… (we) would have the right to reserve them if I choose to," he said. "Due to COVID, outdoor seating has become more popular…. We experimented with full service (outside) and got a really good response."
Douvlos said allowing his own tables to be placed there would be "good in the downtown" and create another server position at his restaurant.
"I think it's a good thing," he added.
"It's getting to be much more popular to sit outside," Mayor Maurice Cashman said. "(I) think it is something that has come to the US in the northeast… people are enjoying it, almost demanding it."
Cashman called the expanded tables and chairs an economic development issue and a "win-win situation for both sides."
Councilman John Wortman asked if the city has legal authority to have reserved tables on city property and Solicitor Andrea Stapleford said it does as the tables would be owned by the businesses.
The proposed ordinance required that the tables be identical to what was there now but concern was expressed about the cost -- and weight -- of those tables and chairs. So council agreed to permit businesses to purchase tables and chairs that are similar with a review process by the city.
Wortman, speaking in support of the ordinance, emphasized that the city has an obligation to do whatever it can to grow businesses.