Residents’ input on cafe-style seating along Baltimore Avenue is welcome at tonight’s meeting. (Photo from University City Flickr stream).
Residents are invited to attend a meeting tonight to provide input on a proposal that would legalize outdoor cafe-style seating at restaurants along Baltimore Avenue.
Several businesses currently have outdoor seating, including the Gold Standard Cafe and Dock Street Brewing Co., but there has been no formal approval of the seating. The current city ordinance requires each business to apply for seating separately. The Baltimore Avenue Business Association, which represents a variety of establishments, is seeking an ordinance that would allow several businesses to apply together. These businesses include Elena’s Soul, Aksum, Gojjo, Gold Standard Cafe, Dock Street Brewing Co. and others.
Tonight’s meeting is a chance for residents who live near Baltimore Avenue to voice concerns about the approval of outdoor seating. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on the second floor of Elena’s Soul (4912 Baltimore Ave.)
April 27th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
You can also come to the meeting to voice your SUPPORT for sidewalk seating on Baltimore Ave.
Cafe seating means more eyes on the street, more neighbors out enjoying each others company and a more vibrant neighborhood for all. It also helps our small, local businesses generate additional revenue to help them pay taxes and employees – all of which help our community remain strong.
April 27th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
I think that some thought should be given to whether we want to have a ordinance that would take away the ability to decide as a neighborhood if each location is well-suited for outdoor seating. I’m not convinced that a group application is the way to go. Also, if for some reason the application is denied, won’t it mean that none of those businesses can have outdoor seating? This is definitely worthy of a discussion.
April 28th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
If you were unable to come to the meeting but would like to voice your support, please contact Marty.Cabry@phila.gov (Councilwoman Blackwell’s office) and cc rogerandvince@gmail.com (Baltimore Avenue Business Association) and be sure to list your name and address so they know you’re a neighborhood resident.
From the meeting: the tables are for patrons eating (not just drinking) and the tables will be removed at 10 p.m. The restaurants are banding together because it is more feasible as small businesses to do so than try to go through the extensive process individually.