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O-29-26 Outdoor Dining Standards

At a glance

  • What: Ordinance O-29-26 updates outdoor dining definitions, administration and operational standards. Speakers described it as a narrower successor to last spring's outdoor dining bill, including a rule on standing versus seated patrons, and credited Alderman Thorp with the revised approach.
  • Where it stands: Public hearing held 2026-10-12 and closed after about 24 minutes of testimony from six speakers. Amendments are expected in committee and on second reading.
  • Main concerns: Enforcement capacity (understaffed planning office; the city liquor board has no dedicated inspectors), inconsistent definitions across city code, density and noise in Eastport and downtown, and the burden on restaurants of making patrons sit when neighbors may stand.
  • Process question: Several speakers asked that the public get notice and a chance to comment on amendments. The mayor said amendments are debated in committee and on second reading, and the bill can return to a public hearing if the council or city attorney finds a substantive change.

Testimony

  • Eastport residents and a civic association board member said the bill is not ready, citing enforcement and the inconsistent definitions of "restaurant" in city code, and asked that the hearing stay open until amendments are public.
  • A longtime Eastport restaurant owner said a seated-only rule in street cafes beside standing areas in private lots is hard for staff to enforce, warned of a liquor license risk, and asked for one rule for everyone.
  • Other residents supported the sponsor's effort as better than last spring's version, but wanted drinking in streets and parking lots addressed further and the liquor board's enforcement fixed.

Sources

Discussion time

About 24 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting Minutes
2026-10-12 - City Council (Regular Meeting) (Part 2) 24

Log