Bradenton council approves two sidewalk-cafe permits, delays two others amid alleyway-safety concerns

Bradenton City Council on Wednesday approved sidewalk-cafe permits for two downtown businesses and continued two related applications after extended debate over alleyway safety, gate access and how outdoor furniture should be stored overnight.

Planning staff presented four separate special-use cases that would allow restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages on public sidewalks along Twelfth Street West (Old Main Street). Greg DeLong, assistant director of planning and community development, described the cases as special-use requests for sidewalk cafes because "the sale of alcoholic beverages on the sidewalk cafe" pushes the proposals beyond what the form-based code permits as a routine sidewalk cafe.

The council voted 4-0 to approve Resolution 25-58 (313 Twelfth Street West, Shuckett) with conditions including that the three outdoor tables may remain but that at least two front tables be moved by midnight or when the last outside dining customer leaves; the motion also specified that the tables may be moved to a locked, enclosed patio on the south side of the building. The same 4-0 vote approved Resolution 25-59 (436 Twelfth Street West, Craft Tales) with standard stipulations requiring a site plan on display, a city indemnification agreement within 30 days, maintenance of a 5-foot clear pedestrian path, state alcohol licenses if sales occur, and city approval for any future increase in seating.

Council members extensively questioned two other applications at 440 Twelfth Street West (Resolution 25-57, the Brown Bag) and 430 Twelfth Street West (Resolution 25-60, Poor Decisions). That discussion focused less on whether outdoor dining supports downtown vibrancy and more on operational and public-safety details: who controls the back-alley gate, whether the alley is adequately lit and camera-covered, whether chairs and tables will be removed or secured at night, and the liability posed by an enclosed, alcohol-adjacent space with a history of police calls.

Councilwoman Barnaby, Councilwoman Koker and other members pressed for precise, enforceable conditions on table counts, hours and where furniture must be stored. Councilman Perry and Police Chief Bevin flagged the alley’s history of late-night incidents and urged clearer requirements for removing or locking up seating after business hours. DeLong noted that planning-commission recommendations for the cases generally included indemnification agreements, limits on seating and the five-foot pedestrian clearance.

After that discussion councilmembers voted 4-0 to continue Resolution 25-57 (440 Twelfth) and Resolution 25-60 (430 Twelfth) to the July 23 council meeting to give applicants time to revise site plans and incorporate the council’s directions on table size/placement, hours and storage. Applicant Joseph Bennett, representing the Brown Bag and other proposed sidewalk cafes, said of liquor sales, "All we would be doing would be beer and wine," and agreed to work with planning staff to return with revised drawings and clearer storage arrangements.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-58 (313 Twelfth St. W., Shuckett): Approved 4-0. Stipulations include: site plan on display; indemnification agreement within 30 days; up to three tables (planning commission allowed up to 20 chairs); furniture stored adjacent to building and locked when business is closed; minimum 5-foot clear path; required state licenses for alcohol; public-works approval for cleaning solutions; future seating increases require city-council approval.

- Resolution 25-59 (436 Twelfth St. W., Craft Tales): Approved 4-0. Stipulations mirror staff recommendations: site plan; indemnification; 5-foot clear path; state licenses; cleaning-solution and future-seat controls.

- Resolution 25-57 (440 Twelfth St. W., Brown Bag): Continued to July 23, 2025 (4-0). Planning-commission recommendation had allowed up to seven tables/28 chairs (two front, five in the alley) with storage in the alley when closed; council asked the applicant to return with clarified, dimensioned plans and tighter limits on night‑time storage and gate access.

- Resolution 25-60 (430 Twelfth St. W., Poor Decisions): Continued to July 23, 2025 (4-0). Planning commission had allowed three tables with four built-in seats; council requested improved furniture, removal/securement at night, and clearer demonstration of how the 5-foot pedestrian zone will be maintained.

What changed and why it mattered

Council members said they support downtown outdoor dining but pushed for firm, enforceable rules after hearing from police and neighbors about the alley’s history. Police Chief Bevin told the council the department had responded to disorderly incidents tied to late-night crowds and said better lighting, cameras and clearer control of the alley would reduce risk: "Visibility for us is our friend," he said. Council members repeatedly returned to two enforcement levers — a requirement that tables be removed or secured by a specified time (council settled on moving or locking tables by midnight or when the last outside customer leaves) and an indemnification agreement that holds property owners responsible for public-side activity.

Applicants and staff agreed to return to council with revised, dimensioned site plans showing the number and footprint of tables and chairs, a clear storage plan for non-business hours, and explicit language on whether and when gates can be locked. Planning staff also reaffirmed the requirement that any future increase in outdoor seating requires a new council approval.

Context and next steps

All four cases were presented as special uses because alcoholic beverage sales on the public sidewalk are not permitted by right under the city’s form‑based code. Planning Commission had previously recommended approval for the cases with conditions (votes recorded as 5-0 in each case); City Council split its action between approvals and continuances after a roughly two‑hour public discussion that included city staff, council members and the applicant.

The council set July 23, 2025, as the date to return two continued cases with revised plans; applicants were asked to work with planning staff before that meeting to produce dimensioned drawings, proposed nightly storage/locking procedures, and any additional security or lighting commitments requested by police or council members.

Council members said they want a consistent downtown approach going forward — lightweight, movable furniture where practical, clear hours for outdoor seating, explicit storage or locking requirements at close, and improvements to alley lighting and camera coverage to reduce liability and improve public safety.

Ending

Council members said they hope the additional conditions and clearer drawings will preserve downtown street life while reducing safety risks. Staff will post revised applications and any updated stipulations in advance of the July 23 meeting so council members and the public can review them before the return hearing.