Planning Board members want to allow outdoor dining by special permit so the city will have control over the privilege.
AGAWAM – The Planning Board has rejected a proposal to allow restaurants to have outdoor dining by right, suggesting instead that that privilege be allowed by special permit.
The board voted to that effect 4-0 on Thursday night.
“We are definitely in favor of this. We just want to make sure things are done correctly,” said Planning Board member Michael Morassi, who made the motion.
Morassi said allowing outdoor dining by special permit would allow the city to protect abutters.
Planning Board member Mark Paleologopoulos said allowing outdoor dining by right leaves too much of “a gray area.”
“They should have to go through a little more rigor,” Paleologopoulos said.
Planning Board Chairman Travis Ward said he is concerned that if outdoor dining is allowed by right, restaurants without much space may just set up two picnic tables.
“We have some areas in town where there is hardly enough room for a sidewalk let alone a patio,” Ward said following the public hearing on the proposal, during which no one from the public came forward to speak about the issue.
City Councilor George Bitzas has proposed an ordinance that would allow local restaurants to offer outdoor dining, something that he said is very common in his native Greece and in some nearby communities like Hartford and Springfield. He has said the amenity is one people find attractive and it could draw more restaurant-goers to Agawam.
The issue will now go the City Council, where it will be taken up at its Aug. 1 meeting. The council was unable to take action on the proposal at its last meeting because the Planning Board had not yet held a public hearing and made its recommendation.
The Planning Board had not acted on the proposal because it had failed to muster a quorum at its previous meeting.
The proposed ordinance has already won the unanimous endorsement of the City Council’s zoning and ordinance committees.
Among the provisions of the proposed ordinance:
• 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.