CC Min 2002-10-07 Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Downtown Development Manager Moeller read a quote pertaining to sidewalk cafes. She stated that sidewalk cafbs are wonderful and a part of every successful and vital downtown. The City Council originally adopted the sidewalk caf~ ordinance, or the Broadway Mall ordinance as it was called, in 1977, allowing the public sidewalk at that time to be used for that purpose. A few revisions to the ordinance have occurred, the last one being six years ago. The current proposed amendments are intended to clarify this ordinance and the Council's intent. She further stated that as the Council deliberates, there are three principles to keep in mind in terms of sidewalk cafes and downtowns. One is the public spaces policy adopted by the Council in September 2001. The second, is the principle that what attracts people to an area is other people. The third principle is that successful downtowns share customers. In conclusion, she stated that sidewalk cafes help strengthen the fabric of downtown, contribute to the vitality and the success of downtown, and help downtown businesses expand their customer base by sharing customers. Community Development Director Liedstrand explained the staff recommended revisions and the reasons for them. Principal Planner Jany expanded on the revisions before Council. Mayor Claire opened the public hearing. Public Comment: Rudy Luca opposed the proposal and stated that there should be some limitations on the sidewalk cafes. In some places people can hardly walk by on the sidewalk to get by the place and the area is overwhelmed by too many of them. He further stated that there should be other businesses downtown for more reasons than to eat. Tony Giusto stated he is the business and property owner at 2626 Broadway Street. He stated he speaks in opposition of some of the amendments of the Broadway Mall ordinance and part is mostly because the Zoning Administrator continues to allow tables in front of his business that are associated with City Pub. He disagreed with Mr. Liedstrand's comments that state this is not the place to resolve the dispute, because it is the dispute that brings the matter before the Council today. He stated he is not in opposition to the sidewalk caf~ idea as long as the adjoining business and/or property owner have a say on the restaurant operation in front of their business. He further stated that the problem with the sidewalk cafes is a matter of trash and disturbances that can impact the adjoining businesses and continued to detail those various behaviors. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2002 MINUTES PAGE 5 -- MINUTES Book No. 59 Page No. 279