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Committee debates alleyways and ‘pedlet’ rules for downtown outdoor dining
Summary
Members discussed whether closed-off city alleyways and planned pedlets should be regulated under this ordinance or handled in a separate pedlet ordinance; the committee agreed to defer sidewalk and alleyway specifics to future work while forwarding the private-property outdoor-dining language to council.
Committee members spent substantial time discussing how to treat closed-off alleyways and pedlets — raised as a possible way to expand outdoor dining in the Depot District and downtown. The Chair and other members noted several alleyways (including the alley near Ortega's and the area behind the American Legion) are city-owned and already function as public space; that status affects whether a business may claim exclusive use or serve alcohol there.
The Chair said the city cannot allow a private business to convert city property into exclusive private space without explicit city approval: "...it's a public owned... it's a city owned alleyway. And that being said, it cannot be their private space," the Chair said. Committee members asked Stephanie to consult with the zoning administrator and staff about whether those alleys should be defined as sidewalks, walkways or a separate category and whether a future pedlet ordinance (parked-street platforms) should set one uniform process. The committee decided to omit sidewalk/alley-specific text from the immediate draft and revisit pedlets and alleyway policy as a separate agenda item.
