Council Encourages Outdoor Dining

By Elizabeth Schneider

June 10 -- In an effort to spur the local economy, the City Council Tuesday night voted unanimously to approve a 45-day interim ordinance that eases a tedious approval process for merchants wishing to create outdoor dining areas.

The ordinance waives parking requirements and allows dining areas of less that 200 square feet to be approved administratively, instead of going through the often-lengthy Planning Commission process.

"We're talking about small amounts of space, maybe six seats or less," Councilman Ken Genser said. "The benefits to the community outweigh the negative."

City Attorney Marsha Moutrie explained the ordinance as " a change in procedure to make it easier to do outdoor dining."

Under the current ordinance, every sixty days merchants must obtain a Performance Standard Permit and either a licensing agreement or a Sidewalk Use Permit. In addition, they must pay $872 plus an additional $1.07 per square foot for fees related to Sidewalk Use Permits every two months.

That application fee recovers staff costs associated with reviewing the application and project plans and preparing a zoning determination.

While the fees are now currently under review, the new ordinance is expected to considerably reduce the cost. Details are expected to be finalized during the 45-day ordinance.

The business community welcomed the new changes.

The permitting process has been "murky" until now, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Dodson told the council. "This (ordinance) adds clarity and it's a wonderful step forward."

Jane Walker, Chair of the Montana Merchant Association, agreed.

With more than ten blocks of shops and restaurants to cover on Montana, people simply "need a place to sit down," said Walker. "This is a win-win situation."

Concerns that adding outdoor dining establishments would increase traffic were refuted by the City Council.