Bitzas says allowing restaurants to offer outdoor dining would stimulate the local economy and be a "win-win" situation.
AGAWAM – City Councilor George Bitzas has proposed an ordinance that would allow local restaurants to offer outdoor dining, an issue that will come up at an Aug. 1 public hearing by the council.
Bitzas said Tuesday restaurant owners in the city have asked him to get approval for outdoor dining, something that he said is very common in his native Greece as well as in some nearby communities like Hartford and Springfield.
“People like to eat outdoors in the summer,” Bitzas said. “It is very attractive to people.”
Allowing outdoor dining would stimulate the local economy and be a “win-win” situation for everyone, Bitzas said.
George BitzasBitzas had hoped the council would be able to put the proposed ordinance to a vote after a public hearing during its meeting Tuesday. However, City Council President Donald Rheault ruled that the council could not have a public hearing or take a vote because the Planning Board had not yet been able to hold its public hearing on the issue.
Bitzas said the Planning Board could not hold its public meeting during a session set for last week because it failed to muster a quorum.
“Better late than never,” Bitzas said of the situation following Tuesday’s meeting.
The proposed ordinance has already won the unanimous endorsement of the City Council’s zoning and ordinance committees.
Bitzas said the proposal was drafted with input from various factions, including the Health Department, the Police Department and the mayor’s office.
Among the provisions of the proposed ordinance are:
• Outdoor dining areas will be allowed subject to a building permit by the building inspector.
• Alcohol may be served outdoors provided licenses are obtained from the Liquor Commission, the Building Department and the Board of Health.
• Hours of operation of the outdoor dining area may be equal to or less than the hours of operation of the main restaurant.
• Dining areas that abut residential areas and zones must end outdoor dining and seating by 11 p.m.