NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- New Port Richey's city council is expected to consider an ordinance later this month that would lay out regulations for street and sidewalk cafes.
- Ordinance would allow street cafes similar to Sip
- Some residents concerned about parking, safety
- First reading Aug. 21; vote could be in September
"Sidewalk cafes bring a new sense of urban life to a city's downtown in that they're an important component of having people interested in visiting a downtown," said City Manager Debbie Manns.
Sidewalk cafes are currently allowed downtown. Manns said the ordinance would permit businesses to set up street cafes, similar to the dining deck Sip, a wine and craft beer bar, has on Grand Blvd.
"The response was phenomenal. People love it," said co-owner Kristian Bolster.
Manns said customers aren't the only ones.
"A lot of people are starting to establish outdoor area seating in the city's downtown as a result of the fact that they're seeing the activity that's generated by way of other cafes or seating that’s being provided by business owners, and they want a piece of that, too," said Manns.
One resident downtown Tuesday who declined to give her name said she had concerns about the decks – both for safety and for what it would mean for downtown parking if more businesses decided to set up street cafes.
Sip's dining deck was built over parking spaces.
"There's a number of municipal parking lots all over," said Bolster. "You just have to walk a couple blocks. That's what makes the city a walkable city."
"There is a sentiment that perhaps a parking problem exists in the city. I'm not certain that it does. I think that there’s a walking problem,” said Manns.
People prefer to park in close proximity to the businesses that they're frequenting, but I'm not certain that the city's to a point where a parking crisis exists."
As for safety, Manns said business owners are required to have liability insurance for seating areas on the sidewalk or street.
Bolster said he welcomes the regulations and the establishment of more decks like his.
"We’d love to see more of them. St. Pete's got them all over the place. Other places, other countries – New York, Italy," he said.
The ordinance would also allow sidewalk cafes to serve alcohol.
The council is expected to hear a first reading of the ordinance on Aug. 21. Members could vote on it in September.