HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemoCITY OF COLLEGE STATION
DATE:
June 9, 2011
TO:
Internal Coordination Partners
FROM:
David Gwin, Director of Economic and Community Development
SUBJECT:
Recommended Draft Ordinance
Recently the City of College Station entered into a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the Northgate District Association (NDA). A provision of the MOU is that
"City Staff will recommend a draft ordinance to allow merchants to utilize the sidewalk
and other appropriate public rights of way to conduct business." This recommendation
is expected to account for the following agreed upon guidelines:
• The ordinance may limit other like vendors (i.e. mobile or otherwise) from
conducting business in front of an existing permanent business.
• A fee may be associated with the permit; however it will be uniform across the
City.
• The ordinance may not allow the construction of permanent improvements such
as decks, patios, porches, etc.
• The ordinance will not amend or alter the City's adopted ordinances governing
alcohol consumption in public areas in Northgate. However the parties intend to
fully explore permanent businesses' ability to sell alcohol in permitted areas
subject to any and all TABC regulations and approvals.
According to the MOU, the City will recommend a draft ordinance to NDA for review,
comment, and consideration by July 1, 2011. The following documents are the
proposed items to be used under the ordinance and discussed during the June 14
internal coordination meeting:
Item 1 — Outdoor Dining in Northgate Central Business District
As was identified in the MOU, this document establishes the process for a
Northgate establishment to obtain a permit for the use of tables and chairs on a
sidewalk. This procedure would need to be incorporated into the City's Code of
Ordinances in a yet to be determined location.
Item 2 — Northgate Outdoor Dining Permit Application
This document is an application to be used by a Northgate establishment in order
to obtain a Permitted Area designation.
Item 3 — Revisions Regarding the Possession and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages
in Northgate Central Business District
In order to permit permanent businesses the opportunity to serve alcohol in
public, City Council would need to make revisions to Chapter 1, Section 13 of the
City's Code of Ordinances. These revisions would allow the consumption and
possession of alcohol by Northgate patrons in the Permitted Area. This document
contains the proposed revisions (underlined).
Potential Points of Disagreement
• Cost of permit
• Modifications to facade adjacent to Permitted Area (e.g. roll -up garage door)
• Use of ancillary items within Permitted Area (e.g. television, speakers, heaters)
• Combination of multiple Permitted Areas
• Service limited to persons seated at tables
• Responsibility of maintenance within Permitted Area
• Storage of tables and chairs when not being used
• Responsibility of providing physical barrier, tables, chairs, and/or signage
• Requirement for a peace officer
• Use of Promenade
• Only possession and consumption of alcohol is permitted, not the sale of