Petoskey adopts ordinance limiting downtown dining-deck licenses to five
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Summary
After discussion, council adopted an ordinance limiting dining-deck licenses to a maximum of five (first-come, first-served) and left sidewalk dining rules unchanged; vote was 5-0.
Petoskey City Council adopted a revised ordinance regulating open-air food and beverage services (dining decks) on March 3, voting 5-0 to set a maximum of five dining-deck licenses on a first-come, first-served basis.
City Manager Horn presented three options for the ordinance's cap: five licenses, eight licenses or no cap. Horn said the city attorney advised that housing the numerical limit in an ordinance gives potential investors greater certainty than a resolution. Council discussed tradeoffs between flexibility and predictability, sidewalk dining (which the council indicated would remain unlimited subject to regulations), sidewalk widths and walkability, and how multiple adjoining dining areas might affect pedestrian flow.
Councilmembers said they wanted to start conservatively. Councilmember Walker moved to adopt option A with a maximum of five dining-deck licenses; Councilmember Knobtrop (second) supported the motion. Council voted 5-0.
Planning staff noted three businesses had expressed interest historically; staff said that if demand exceeded the cap, council could revisit and raise the limit. The ordinance replaces Chapter 8, Article 7 ("open air food and beverage services") and establishes permit rules and location criteria tied to the downtown business district.
Motion: adopt ordinance as introduced with a maximum of five dining-deck licenses on a first-come, first-serve basis. Motion by Miss Walker; second by Mr. Knobtrop. Vote: 5-0.
