The Annapolis City Council passed a resolution Monday night ensuring that city restaurants can continue seasonal outdoor dining operations next year. The move comes as pending legislation about outdoor dining nears a vote.

The resolution, sponsored by Alderman Ross Arnett, a Democrat representing Ward 8, extends a pilot program allowing restaurants to turn outdoor spaces, such as sidewalks and parking spaces, into additional seating during warm weather. The program evolved from early pandemic-era practices. Aldermen Rob Savidge, representing Ward 7, and DaJaun Gay, representing Ward 6 — both Democrats — are co-sponsors.

In June 2020, the city established what were known as recovery zones, or outdoor dining areas where restaurants and other businesses could operate because of indoor capacity limits. A year later, legislation extended the temporary uses and parking restrictions for outdoor dining and shopping options.

Recent data on what effect outdoor dining has on parking in the city led the council to conclude in January that the practice “positively impacted the participating businesses’ bottom lines” and “may be essential to their long-term survival.”

That program was extended again at the beginning of the year. Though the council is currently considering legislation that could codify permanent regulations for seasonal outdoor dining, it is unclear when a final vote will occur. The resolution ensures that businesses can continue their operations if the legislation is not passed by the time they start planning their expansions, Arnett said. The new legislation would allow seasonal outdoor dining between April 15 and Nov. 1. Permits could be obtained for a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months.

Restaurant owners would go through the Board of Appeals to convert parking spaces or streets to expand their dining services seasonally. Other forms of outdoor dining — sidewalk cafes and rooftop dining — are already allowed. The city also leases seasonal parklets, or dining in city-owned parking spaces.

“It’s in recognition of the fact that restaurants have to prepare for outdoor dining, pretty much starting in [January,] and we may or may not get the outdoor dining ordinance passed,” Arnett said Wednesday. “But even if we do, the restaurants have to file their special exception request to make this outdoor dining permanent and also have to amend their liquor license. A liquor license probably is something doable in a short period of time. But it’s not clear if the special exception process can be completed by January … so this is just a hedge so that outdoor dining can continue while we finish the legislative process.”

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