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Springfield aldermen direct rewrite of sidewalk-obstruction rules after merchants plead for relief
Summary
After months of debate and public pleas from downtown merchants, the Springfield Board of Mayor and Aldermen instructed staff to remove outdoor‑merchandise and flags/banners language from a proposed sidewalk-obstruction ordinance and to return a revised version next month; the board also signaled it would temper enforcement until the rewrite is in‑
The Springfield Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Tuesday signaled clear legislative intent to change how the city enforces and regulates displays and signage on downtown sidewalks, directing staff to remove outdoor‑merchandise provisions and flags and banners from a proposed ordinance and to return a revised draft next month.
The discussion followed public comments from downtown business owners. Jessica Herndon, owner of Public House, told the board: "We are discouraged, disappointed and panicked over your latest vote against allowing signage into court…This is a whole town begging for immediate change" and said a petition led by a local resident had gathered about 1,100 signatures in support of easing rules. Dave Phelps, a downtown resident, urged the board to preserve downtown walkability and said existing ADA improvements had not been compromised by decorative displays.
Vice Mayor Tim Harris and other aldermen described a code that has long been on the books but not strictly enforced, and said recent selective enforcement prompted the current controversy. Harris said observation of other downtowns (Franklin cited) showed that sandwich boards and bistro tables can work without widespread banners or merchandise occupying sidewalks. The city manager noted that the sidewalk‑cafe overlay already covers many restaurants and that expanding overlay boundaries for eligible businesses is a separate planning process.
Alderman Holloman moved — and Alderman Bradley seconded — a motion to take the draft ordinance presented last month, remove references to outdoor merchandise and flags/banners (unless those can be narrowly tailored to sales messaging), and bring back a proposed ordinance next month. Following discussion about enforcement practice, the board agreed the city would revert to prior enforcement emphasis — focusing on ADA clearance and material obstructions — while the board considers the revised ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.
City Manager Ryan Martin (name appears as Ryan and later as "Rob" in the record) said staff would not intensify citation activity while the board refines legislative intent: "Based on the legislative intent that you all are signaling tonight, we will not be [enforcing broadly]; we will go back to the way we used to enforce the sidewalk obstruction ordinance, which is basically to ensure the ADA clearance is met." The city also plans to present adjustments to the overlay boundaries through the planning commission in October to allow eligible restaurants to return tables and chairs under that program.
What's next: the board expects a revised ordinance at the next meeting; in the meantime staff will proceed with enforcement that prioritizes ADA compliance rather than broad removal of displays.
