Crystal Lake extends outdoor dining through the rest of the year

Crystal Lake City Council members approved an extension on allowing restaurants and bars to have outdoor seating areas through Dec. 31.

During a meeting last Tuesday, the City Council also approved an ordinance authorizing the Liquor Commissioner to amend liquor licenses for restaurants and bars to permit the sale and consumption of liquor in new or expanded outdoor seating areas.

Since May 27, when the council first approved the expansion of outdoor seating,31 restaurants and bars have established outdoor seating areas, customized to meet their needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the meeting’s agenda.

This outdoor seating originally was extended until Oct.31, the meeting agenda said, but the city recently received several inquiries about the possibility of extending this approval through the end of the year.

A revised checklist with guidelines for outdoor heating appliances, tents, and other types of windbreaks will be provided to the restaurants with outdoor seating.

This extension was approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda.