SIDEWALK DINING ORDINANCE: PASSED!
Sidewalk dining, alcohol sales OK’d
Measure to allow restaurants in Olde Village to offer cafe-style service passes easily, with only 2 opposing
By Schuyler Kropf
The Post and Courier
Friday, August 28, 2009
The ordinance approving cafe-style sidewalk dining with alcohol sales in the Olde Village section of North Charleston easily passed its final City Council vote Thursday.
Restaurants could begin offering the service in the next few weeks, after the city’s zoning department begins the application process.
Council members who supported the measure drew applause from the audience, many of whom represented restaurants in the East Montague Avenue district, off Park Circle.
The approval allows restaurants in the area to serve alcoholic beverages to diners with their meals. Dining times would run from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., but alcohol service would be allowed only between the hours of 3 and 11 p.m.
Restrictions would occur during home football games at the nearby North Charleston High School and at special times, such as when the area is blocked off for street events or parades.
Two council members, Steve Ayer and Michael Brown, voted against the effort, while nine voted for it, including Mayor Keith Summey. Ayer said he approved of allowing the food sales but not the alcohol service.
Councilman Kurt Taylor, who introduced the cafe-dining idea, said the option will increase business and draw more visitors to the area.
“It will work and it will be a wonderful thing” for the district, he said.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postand courier.com.
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