Monmouth looking to expand sidewalk café ordinance

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An ordinance passed in August of 2019 that allowed Monmouth restaurants and lounges to operate outdoors could be expanded after changes made in response to the coronavirus pandemic received positive feedback.

On Monday, Aldermen in the Maple City approved having changes made to the city’s sidewalk cafe ordinance, for things like expanding the window of when they can operate, and allowing for more space to be used.

The Monmouth City Council in May had expanded the sidewalk cafe ordinance to help businesses that severely reduced occupancy because of state-mandated restrictions because of the pandemic.

Aldermen discussed adjusting the hours of operation from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with no alcohol being served before 11:00 a.m. The City Council last year approved the ordinance for between 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher tells WGIL that with state-mandated restrictions on bars and restaurants, the Monmouth City Council approved temporary expansions to the sidewalk cafe ordinance, including expanding the hours.

Another change would see expanding the allowed dates from April 1 to November 30.

Additional changes to the ordinance would include allowing for only one entrance and exit to the designated sidewalk area and reducing the required amount of unobstructed sidewalk width from five to four feet.

The council will be voting again to approve ordinance changes in the future.

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