Title
SECOND AND FINAL READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE ISSUANCE OF OUTDOOR SERVICE PERMITS TO ALLOW OUTDOOR SERVICE AREAS FOR RESTAURANTS AND BARS
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Summary and Background Information:
The Pilot Outdoor Services Program expands on the now expired Temporary Outdoor Dining Service Area Permit that was established in 2020 as way for business to remain operational during the pandemic. The Commerce City Blue Ribbon Economic Development Advisory Committee suggested that the City reimplement the permit to allow businesses to once again offer outdoor services to their patrons. The Pilot Program that will be implemented via ordinance makes a more permanent program for the City, while still leaving room for Council and staff to review and further improve upon the service in five years. In five years, any program changes can be made and then the program can be made permanent in a new ordinance. At that time, Council can choose to extend any existing permits that business have acquired for outdoor services. Per the ordinance, restaurants, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distillery pubs, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, and clubs will be eligible to apply for the required permit and license required to establish an outdoor service area for patrons. As currently drafted, there will not be a fee associated with applying for the Outdoor Service Permit or Right-of-Way License during the Pilot Program, but a fee would be implemented when the program is made permanent and staff has additional data to set a reasonable application fee. If Council would like to charge a fee for the review of the permit and license, that can be included at the time of Second Reading. Separately, staff is actively developing Outdoor Services Permit Design Guidelines for businesses to reference during the application process. The completed guidelines should be included in the packet for Second Reading.
In addition to giving busines...
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