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Northampton council unanimously renews temporary ordinance suspension to preserve outdoor dining
Summary
On Oct. 16 the Northampton City Council approved Order 25.328 to temporarily suspend parts of the city code to allow Summer on Strong and expanded outdoor dining and entertainment, a move councilors and local business owners said helps downtown economic recovery.
The Northampton City Council voted unanimously on Oct. 16 to approve Order 25.328, temporarily suspending portions of the municipal code to allow Summer on Strong and other outdoor dining and entertainment programs to proceed next year.
Council President Alex Jarrett said the suspension is being considered early so restaurants and event organizers can plan for next year: "This is the suspension that allows those things to happen. And the reason that we bring it to you now is because we start planning right away for next year." The vote came after Councilor Perry moved to suspend the rules and allow a same-night vote and Councilor Dabbs seconded that motion; the subsequent approval on the ordinance also passed by roll call.
Why this matters: business owners and councilors said the temporary ordinance change has become a core economic development tool since 2020, encouraging investment and drawing visitors downtown. "I can't say enough of good things about the city and how wonderful the city has been towards every business, every restaurant, and every retail business on Strong Avenue," said Deb Flynn, owner of East Side Grill. Isaac Weiner, vice chair of the Downtown Northampton Association and owner of Familiars Coffee and Tea, said: "Programs like this allow Northampton to be a beacon in the Valley, calling residents and tourists to come enjoy our downtown." Daniel McColgan, co-owner of Familiars Coffee and Tea and the Florence Pie Bar, told the council the certainty would allow business owners "to invest so much more into outdoor dining knowing that this could be handled at a slightly more local level."
Council discussion was uniformly supportive. Councilor Perry called the program a "staple of our city" and moved to suspend the rules for immediate consideration. Councilor Elkins and others echoed appreciation for the public-private collaboration that has sustained the program. Mayor Sarah thanked the businesses and city staff who administer the program and noted planning for next season already underway.
Action and next steps: The council approved suspending the rules to permit an immediate vote, then approved Order 25.328 on the floor. Council members said staff will continue outreach and that a broader package of ordinance adjustments may follow after the Main Street redesign to account for permanent changes to downtown public space use.
Votes at a glance: Motion to suspend rules — mover: Councilor Perry; second: Councilor Dabbs; roll-call approval (unanimous). Approval of Order 25.328 — moved by Councilor Elkins; seconded by Councilor Clemmer; roll-call approval (unanimous).
Ending note: Councilors said they expect to return with longer-term, permanent ordinance language after the Main Street redesign work clarifies how public ways will be configured for dining and events.
