By Jack Tomczuk<\/p>\n
City Council is poised to streamline the process for restaurants attempting to set up outdoor seating, at least in some neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers advanced legislation Tuesday that would expand the zones where eateries are allowed to operate a sidewalk cafe \u201cby right,\u201d meaning they would not require a Council bill and meetings with community organizations.<\/p>\n
The process, long decried as too onerous in the food industry<\/a>, can take 12 to 18 months, according to the office of Councilmember Rue Landau, who sponsored the most recent ordinance.<\/p>\n \u201cOwners told us that the current outdoor dining program is not working for small businesses,\u201d Landau said during a hearing this week. \u201cMost find it confusing and cumbersome, and changes must be made.\u201d<\/p>\n If the legislation receives final approval, which could happen as soon as Dec. 11, the new regulations would go into effect in the entirety of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier\u2019s 3rd District, which includes large swaths of West and Southwest Philadelphia.<\/p>\n Significant stretches of Washington Avenue, Point Breeze Avenue, West Passyunk Avenue, Snyder Avenue, Woodland Avenue, Ogontz Avenue and smaller sections of other streets are also included in the bill.<\/p>\n Outdoor tables and chairs are already permitted by right in Center City and along some other neighborhood commercial corridors and business districts.<\/p>\n Landau, who represents the entire city as an at-large member, said she spent months in discussions with restauranters, council members and other stakeholders in crafting the law.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, it was clear that some lawmakers asked that their districts be excluded from the ordinance. Cindy Bass (8th District) and Jeffrey Young Jr. (5th District) indicated that they believed allowing more sidewalk seating in some neighborhoods could create nuisances for nearby residents already dealing with quality-of-life problems from stop-and-go stores, smoke shops and other establishments.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my opinion, this completely cuts out the community from having a say,\u201d added Bass, who represents sections of North and Northwest Philadelphia.<\/p>\n Landau noted that restaurants would still need to apply for a city permit for a sidewalk cafe, and that privilege could be stripped if they violate any rules. But Bass raised concerns about the city\u2019s ability to enforce business regulations.<\/p>\n