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Stayton council removes sidewalk vendor permits, keeps safety rules
Summary
The Stayton City Council voted 4-0 to adopt Ordinance 25-002, eliminating sidewalk vendor and cafe permit and application requirements while retaining right-of-way and obstruction standards enforced by code enforcement staff.
The Stayton City Council voted 4-0 Monday to approve Ordinance 25-002 removing permit and application requirements for sidewalk vendors and sidewalk cafes while keeping existing right-of-way and obstruction standards in place.
Community and Economic Development Director Jennifer Cicliano told the council staff reviewed the city code and recommended striking the permit issuance and application language while leaving enforcement of standards in place. "We reviewed the sidewalk vendor, cafe, vendor and fees, and there was an idea to eliminate the permit and the fees that are required, but maintain the...standards," Cicliano said.
Business owner Carrie Sessoms, who operates Covered Bridge Cafe, spoke during public comment and said she supports eliminating the permit fee but asked the city to consider charging by seasonal usage rather than a flat fee. "I think the only thing that I would hope that maybe the city would do different is by usage and not just a blanket amount by square footage," Sessoms said, noting that her cafe puts nine tables on the sidewalk from May through October and about two tables in colder months. She added, "We did about a $187,000 in business on outdoor dining last year, so it's a huge benefit to our business."
Cicliano told the council the code change would also modify the city obstruction-to-sidewalk section to reflect exemptions for conducting business in a street right-of-way and that the city's code enforcer would continue to enforce regulations. She said staff had proposed earlier a $2.50-per-square-foot approach and a $100 initial fee with a $20 annual fee, but the recommended change removed the permit and fees.
Council members who voted in favor were Councilor Sims, Councilor Kerrey, Councilor Patty and Councilor Ort. Councilor Patty moved to approve the ordinance; a councilor seconded, and the motion passed 4-0. Mayor Maureen Quigley presided.
The ordinance removes the permit and application language from the cited municipal code sections but keeps the city's right-of-way and obstruction rules intact; enforcement remains with code enforcement staff. The council did not set a new fee structure at the meeting, and staff indicated the change preserves the city's ability to enforce safety and clearance standards for sidewalk use.
