Title
Resolution to Approve Outdoor Seating for Drip House Coffee, 1336 South Main Street, for the Rest of the Season as a Special Event Sale
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to approve outdoor seating for Drip House Coffee at 1336 South Main Street for the remainder of the outdoor seating season this year. As all restaurants, Drip House Coffee is required to limit their indoor seating capacity. City Council may designate certain dates and locations as special events temporary outdoor sales areas, including any conditions and standards of conduct, as provided in Section 5.16.7.C of Chapter 55 (Unified Development Code).
The Unified Development Code does provide for Temporary Outdoor Sales in Section 5.16.6.K. Temporary Outdoor Sales are available in all mixed-use zoning districts (O, C1, C1A, C1B, C1A/R, D1, D2, C2B, C3) as accessory uses subject to five requirements. One requirement is that the temporary outdoor sales area may not exceed 10% of the business's floor area. Usually, the size restriction is not a limitation for sale tables or display areas, or a picnic table or two. However, during this pandemic, it is proving to be a significant barrier for restaurants attempting to move half of their seating capacity outdoors. Drip House Coffee is a 1,300-square foot business and would be restricted to 130 square feet of Temporary Outdoor Sales area.
The Unified Development Code also allows Special Event Sales to be designed by resolution of City Council on certain dates and locations (Section 5.16.7.C). Both the Art Fairs and the University of Michigan home football games are standing special event sales dates and locations. The resolutions approving these Special Event Sales must include conditions and standards of conduct to be in force, but are open to what those conditions may be and what are the appropriate standards of conduct.
Drip House Coffee is requesting a Special Event Sales designation for the remainder of the outdoo...
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