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Ashland explores sidewalk dining By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Regulated sidewalk dining may be on its way to Ashland, but a couple of restaurant owners think the plaza is too crowded to accommodate it and another is concerned that eateries have been left out of the process. The City Council reviewed a draft ordinance regulating sidewalk dining Tuesday in advance of a public hearing Feb. 19. There has been no regulation except on Calle Guanajuato under the parks department's control. "It's a good idea to have something, but just charging people fees to have outside tables doesn't seem right without having their input," said Pat South, owner of Tabu at 76 N. Pioneer. South would like to place five tables outside. A Mexican restaurant that previously occupied the site had outside dining. The Bulls-Eye in Ashland Springs Hotel offered outside seating last summer. Council input was sought on the draft before it is taken to restaurant owners prior to the February meeting, said Planning Director John McLaughlin. Two plaza restaurateurs expressed reservations about seating on the sidewalk fronting the plaza due to heavy foot traffic. Both have tables on the calle. "I think there's definitely a congestion issue right on the plaza," said Plaza Caf� owner Ron Roth. "That would need to be part of the discussion." "There's no room," said Daniel Greenblatt, owner of Greenleaf Deli and Restaurant. Roth said outside seating at his Geppetto's Restaurant, 345 E. Main St., wouldn't be practical because it would be in the sun on the north side of the street. "We would consider doing it," said Tim Nohr, manger of Pangea at 272 E. Main St. on the street's south side. "We'll wait for the ordinance and take it from there." Outdoor dining on the calle has been under parks department regulation for more than 10 years. Six alcoves are available. Restaurants must comply with other city and state regulations, including those on liquor service. An annual fee of $22 per seat is charged. "There's virtually no problems," said parks department Director Ken Mickelsen. The proposed ordinance would apply in commercial and employment zones. Besides the downtown, A Street and Siskiyou Boulevard restaurants might offer the service. Annual fees of $100 per application and $25 per seat is proposed. The draft calls for application approval by the public works department; the police department would join in where liquor licenses are involved. The draft also includes minimum sidewalk clearances, liability and insurance provisions, operational standards and an 11 p.m. cut-off for alcohol service. Councilwoman Cate Hartzell said it would add to the ambience of the city and help businesses, but wanted fees to cover the cost of administration "I feel it is a big benefit and I want it to pay for itself," said Hartzell at the meeting. "I want to find out exactly where the money's going; what it is for," said South. "Overall it's going to help the aesthetics of the town. I just don't want it to get exorbitant." Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.