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Plan Commission backs several zoning amendments on mobile food setbacks, contractor yards and outdoor dining
Summary
On June 8 the Plan Commission unanimously recommended three zoning changes to the Common Council: a 500-foot setback for mobile food establishments from a restaurant’s primary entrance, permitting contractor yards by right in M-1 with supplemental standards, and allowing outdoor food and beverage service by right in B-3 and CC-3 subject to operational and lighting rules.
City Planner Jacob Maas presented three proposed amendments to the City of Hartford zoning code and recommended approval of each.
1) Mobile food establishment setback (Appendix B §16.05): Staff recommended requiring mobile food establishments to be 500 feet from the primary customer entrance of an existing restaurant on another lot to align Chapter 52 with Chapter 33 (Peddlers, Canvassers and Transient Merchants). Maas clarified that special-event permits are exempt because the permit trumps the ordinance. Alderperson Tom Pechacek moved to recommend approval to the Common Council; Member Scott Henke seconded and the motion carried.
2) Contractor yard permitted use in M-1 (Appendix A §10.06): Maas explained the change would allow contractor yards as a permitted use in the M-1 Light Industrial District and listed supplemental standards to limit nuisances (types of outdoor storage, indoor equipment repair, prohibition on retail sales, location and setback rules, screening buffers, dust control and gated-access regulations). Member Dave Piquett moved to recommend approval; Vice-Chairperson Tony Andereck seconded and the motion carried.
3) Outdoor food and beverage service accessory use (Appendix A §15.04): Staff proposed allowing outdoor service areas as a permitted accessory use in the B-3 General Business and CC-3 Downtown Core districts with supplemental standards (maximum size up to 50% of indoor service area, location restrictions, alcohol service consistent with licenses, controlled entrances if alcohol served, restroom capacity, hours aligned with indoor operations, and festoon-lighting limits). Commissioners discussed parking and lighting impacts; Maas noted CC-3 relies heavily on City-owned parking and that lighting requirements remain in code. Member Scott Henke moved to recommend approval; Alderperson Tom Pechacek seconded and the motion carried.
All three recommendations were carried by the Plan Commission and will be forwarded to the Common Council for ordinance consideration.
