Title
Authorizing Philadelphia City Council to conduct hearings to investigate the efficiency, implementation, and enhancement of the outdoor dining program and improve opportunities for restaurants to operate streeteries and sidewalk cafes.
Body
WHEREAS, During the Covid-19 pandemic, City Council recognized the need for temporary legislation to allow restaurants to open outdoor dining spaces on city streets and sidewalks, to enable Philadelphia restaurants to safely serve customers and drive business; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2020, Council passed two bills to address outdoor dining, creating emergency outdoor dining allowances that expired December 31, 2021, which enabled outdoor dining spaces subject to permitting and inspection rules to ensure safety, and which helped more than 800 restaurants earn much needed revenue and retain jobs during a time of crisis; and
WHEREAS, December of 2021, City Council extended the pandemic-era regulations enabling sidewalk cafes to December 31, 2022, and since has considered but not passed legislation to allow Sidewalk Cafes to operate more broadly; and
WHEREAS, In December of 2021, City Council passed legislation to create a section in the Philadelphia Code entitled "Streeteries" to allow for outdoor dining in portions of the public right-of-way, under certain terms and conditions; and
WHEREAS, This legislation defined geographic boundaries where Streeteries would be allowed; required the creation of regulations, standards, and procedures for the issuance and enforcement of Streeteries licenses, and established guidelines for safety and accessibility of Streeteries; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia launched the permanent Outdoor Dining Program in January 2023, enabled by the above referenced legislation, which encompass regulations for Streeteries and Sidewalk Cafes, and which promote goals of public safety and accessibility; and
WHEREAS, In contrast to the success of the temporary outdoor dining program implemen...
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