City Council has given final approval to the long standing Sidewalk Dining issue. In response to requests from business owners, residents, and tourists alike, the City's sidewalk dining laws have become less stringent, in an attempt to increase the number of tables on the City sidewalks (in areas where the sidewalks are wide enough). The fee of up to $9 per square foot of sidewalk space being used has been eliminated for business owners, along with the required security deposit. Also, allowable operating hours have been extended until midnight, or the business' closing time, whichever is earlier. I think theses all sound like reasonable changes, and I'm looking forward to some new and improved people watching this Spring!Labels: About the Neighborhood, In the News