CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: July 19, 2021
Agenda Date: July 27, 2021
Prepared By: Alix Bernard, Senior Planner
Through: Charlene Neuterman, Interim Community Services Director
Requested Action:
title
Staff is requesting approval of option one in regards to outdoor dining with three options listed below: (1) return to offering sidewalk cafes only, (2) continue with outdoor dining or (3) continue with outdoor dining during special events only.
End
body
BACKGROUND:
On Tuesday, February 23, 2021, Council approved Resolution 2021-13 extending the expiration date of expanded outdoor dining options for local restaurants currently approved for the temporary provision to June 30, 2021.
Prior Resolutions approved by Council:
On Tuesday, July 13, 2021 City Council agreed to abate the enforcement of outdoor dining until the options moving forward could be brought before City Council.
On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Cocoa City Council approved Resolution 2020-146 establishing a limited permit-outdoor seating area for local restaurants to be able to expand dining options for patrons while under the seating capacity limitations ordered by the State. This resolution allowed restaurants to obtain a limited permit authorizing new, temporary outdoor seating areas that did not exist previously. Per the resolution, the limited permits were to expire upon the recession or expiration of Executive Orders, which maintains limited indoor seating capacity to seventy-five percent (75%) or less.
In October of 2020, Executive Order 20-244 expanded capacity of restaurants to no less than 100% occupancy, which would have expired the temporary permits in place. Thus, Cocoa City Council extended Resolution No. 2020-146 on October 13, 2020, to February 28, 2021.
During the pandemic, the City allowed for outdoor dining in an effort to support the local restaurant industry. A variety of different establishments took advantage of this opportunity. Since that time the temporary...
Click here for full text