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Council deadlocks on CHOMP sidewalk café seating; public raises ADA and pedestrian concerns
Summary
The council debated a sidewalk café license request from CHOMP Kitchen and Drinks to add eight tables with seating listed as 46 and ultimately failed to approve the application after public comments about pedestrian flow and an internal split over the request.
The Newport City Council considered a sidewalk café license application from CHOMP Kitchen and Drinks to expand its Broadway premises with an eight-table sidewalk café. The application listed a maximum potential of 46 seats; the number and layout became a focal point of public comment and council debate.
Neighbors and other members of the public said the planned layout would impede pedestrian flow, especially around a tree that narrows the sidewalk near the proposed café. “The area around where that tree is is a nightmare for pedestrians,” said a resident who urged the council to require clearer drawings and a configuration that leaves a continuous accessible path. Another speaker recommended placing seating nearer the curb, as in other downtown sidewalk cafes, to preserve walking space.
The applicant and an owner/operator said bench-style seating can show a high potential capacity on paper but that full occupancy rarely occurs and that they were willing to consider adjustments. Councilors questioned whether the plan would be novel on Broadway; one councilor described 46 seats as “a bit absurd” for that narrow stretch and asked the applicant to return with a more modest configuration.
Procedurally, the council took motions to continue and to approve; after discussion the motion to continue failed and the final motion to approve the sidewalk café license failed on a roll call. Staff and the solicitor advised that administration could work with the applicant on a revised layout that meets the required 6-foot pedestrian clearance and other ADA rules, and that a revised proposal could return to the council.
Next steps: city staff told the applicant they can revise the plan to show required clearances around the tree and the accessible pedestrian path; the council did not approve the license and the applicant may return with a modified layout for reconsideration.
