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Outdoor dining discussion on Hope Mills agenda

Fayetteville Observer - 7/6/2020

Jul. 6--HOPE MILLS -- The town Board of Commissioners will consider an outdoor dining policy when it meets at 7 p.m. today.

Town Planner Chancer McLaughlin said in a memo to Town Manager Melissa Adams that the town's restaurants have suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As the widespread panic and reaction to the outbreak increased, many citizens have found alternative methods of providing food, causing steep declines in business for eating and drinking establishments with some businesses having to close outright," McLaughlin wrote.

Currently, the town has no regulations on outdoor dining, McLaughlin said. He is proposing a temporary policy that would limit outdoor eating capacity to 50% of indoor capacity, with a limit of 100 customers. Social distancing would be enforced.

The outdoor dining areas would have to comply with setback requirements and would have to be clearly marked with fencing or other barriers. Businesses would have to submit a site plan and parking would have to be provided.

McLaughlin said permanent outdoor dining regulations could be enacted after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.

"This approach would also allow staff to study how outdoor dining is received by patrons to give more insight on better ways to regulate the use once a time has come to adopt permanent legislation in our ordinance," McLaughlin wrote.

Also tonight, the board is scheduled to hear a presentation on public transportation from Dasmon Ellerbee of Sure Modes of Everyday Transportation and consider an amendment to the town sign ordinance that would permit some pole signs and ease restrictions on political signs.

Staff writer Rodger Mullen can be reached at rmullen@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3561.

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