Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sidewalk Cafes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves two downtown sidewalk-cafe permits with alcohol, sets safety stipulations
Summary
The Bradenton City Council on May 14 approved sidewalk-cafe permits for Orange Blossom Coffee (1166 Third Avenue W.) and Loaded Barrel (450 12th Street W.), both allowing outdoor seating with alcohol sales under conditions including a 5-foot clear pedestrian path and posted site plans.
Bradenton City Council approved sidewalk-cafe permits for two downtown businesses — Orange Blossom Coffee at 1166 Third Avenue West and Loaded Barrel at 450 Twelfth Street West — during its May 14 meeting, allowing limited outdoor seating where alcohol is sold under staff-recommended stipulations.
Planning staff said the permits align with the city’s comprehensive plan goal to encourage sidewalk activity downtown while preserving pedestrian access and ADA clearance. Greg DeLong, assistant director of planning and community development, told council that sidewalk cafes must “maintain a minimum of 5 feet of clearance” so pedestrians have an unobstructed, ADA-compliant path.
Orange Blossom owner Melissa Lilly said outdoor sales are a small part of her business. “It’s about 1% of our revenue,” Lilly said, and she told council she removes her tables each night and carries liquor liability insurance. Staff’s site plan shows Orange Blossom proposing four exterior tables and 12 chairs; the council approved the permit with the stipulations recommended by planning staff, including a requirement that the site plan and conditions be displayed on the property during business hours and that all proper licenses be obtained.
At the second case, Loaded Barrel owner Paul Klarczyk said his business has operated downtown with the same outdoor setup since 2011 and is seeking a permit to allow up to three tables and 18 chairs; he asked to leave the tables outside when the business is closed but secured. DeLong said planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval with conditions including a recorded indemnification agreement, a five-foot clear pedestrian path at all times and public-works approval of any cleaning solutions used on the sidewalk.
Council members asked about potential loitering and whether leaving tables outside would encourage people to linger overnight. Klarczyk said the tables can be flipped or locked together; council suggested locking or securing them to reduce the risk of layovers. Both sidewalk-cafe resolutions passed unanimously, 5-0, with the standard stipulations that ensure clear pedestrian access, posted site plans, required insurance and limits on seating increases without further council approval.
The approvals are recorded as Resolution 20540 (Orange Blossom) and Resolution 25-41 (Loaded Barrel). Staff said the Planning Commission had recommended both applications by 5-0 votes and that the permits will be followed by city-recorded indemnification agreements and site-plan requirements to assist public-safety enforcement if problems arise.
Council and staff emphasized enforcement methods available should the cafes create pedestrian obstructions or safety issues: the site plan requirement and recorded indemnification help police and code compliance respond to complaints.
Orange Blossom and Loaded Barrel may proceed under their approval conditions; any future increase in outdoor seating must return to council for review.
