[Massplanners] Outdoor Dining Process & Oversight Questions

[Bernard Cahill]

Good afternoon Planning Community,

There were not too many responses to my earlier inquiry, but I have
received a few requests to share the results and the approach that we
decided to take in Shrewsbury toward outdoor dining.

In the end, Shrewsbury decided to borrow Hudson's overall approach for
review and approval of outdoor dining. We are proposing a zoning article
for our Fall Special Town Meeting that would amend the Use Table to allow
for outdoor dining by-right, but would indicate that outdoor dining would
still be subject to approval by the Selectmen. If the Zoning Article is
approved, the Planning and Building Departments would introduce an outdoor
dining application form with a list of the required information and
documents for review and approval by different departments, also similar to
how Hudson currently operates.

For anyone interested, the draft Zoning Article for outdoor dining can be
found on our website:
https://shrewsburyma.gov/636/Planning-Economic-Development

Have a good weekend everyone!


*Bernard Cahill*
Town Planner
Town of Shrewsbury
100 Maple Avenue
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
bcahill at shrewsburyma.gov <klas at shrewsburyma.gov>
508-841-8512


On Tue, Aug 24, 2021 at 9:46 AM Kristina Johnson <kjohnson at townofhudson.org>
wrote:

> Here’s the link to Hudson’s Sidewalk Dining regulations, which have served
> our Downton quite well during COVID.
> https://www.townofhudson.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif3281/f/uploads/sidewalk_dining_rules_and_regs_update_2021.docx.pdf
>
>
>
> I worked with our Downtown Business Improvement District and a couple
> members of the SB to put together these regulations in 2018. All reviews
> are done at the staff level and the only Board approval is from the SB, as
> they are the licensing authority. The SB relies on the professional
> expertise of the Building Commissioner, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the
> DPW Director in issuing these permits. The Building Commissioner requires
> architectural sketches detailing the set-up in order to ensure compliance
> with building code and ADA.
>
>
>
> There is absolutely no involvement by the Planning Board or ZBA.
>
>
>
> If there is one piece advice I could offer on  the creation and
> implementation of outside/sidewalk dining:  keep it simple!
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Kristina
>
>
>
>
>
> *Kristina Johnson, AICP*
>
> Director of Planning & Community Development
>
> Town of Hudson,  MA
>
> President, Mass. Association of Planning Directors
>
> Tel: 978-562-2989
>
> Cell:  857-939-3427
>
> Email: kjohnson at townofhudson.org
>
> “Like” Hudson Planning and Community Development on Facebook [image:
> http://blogs-images.forbes.com/peterhimler/files/2014/02/high-res-logo_facebook1.png]
> <https://www.facebook.com/HudsonRecreation>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> *On Behalf Of *Bernard
> Cahill
> *Sent:* Tuesday, August 24, 2021 9:31 AM
> *To:* massplanners at masscptc.org
> *Subject:* [Massplanners] Outdoor Dining Process & Oversight Questions
>
>
>
> Good morning everyone,
>
>
>
> Shrewsbury is looking to streamline and clarify some of our regulations
> around outdoor dining (with service, not just seating) for a post-COVID
> world. We would really appreciate some help with answering any or all of
> the following questions as we continue to collect more information:
>
> · What level and/or type of review is required for outdoor dining in your
> municipality? Special Permit or Site Plan? Planning Board, ZBA, or
> Administrative Site Plan Review?
>
> · What kind of application materials are required for outdoor dining?
> Engineered Site Plans etc.?
>
> · Does 3-season outdoor seating factor into calculating the minimum
> required number of parking spaces for a restaurant?
>
> · Is outdoor seating allowed to occupy existing parking spaces and, if
> yes, how is it regulated?
>
> Many thanks in advance for any replies!
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
>
>
> *Bernard Cahill*
> Town Planner
> Town of Shrewsbury
> 100 Maple Avenue
> Shrewsbury, MA 01545
> bcahill at shrewsburyma.gov <klas at shrewsburyma.gov>
> 508-841-8512
>
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