Geneva aldermen approve extending outdoor bar, eatery seating through Dec. 31

GENEVA – Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution Monday extending outdoor seating options on public and private property for restaurants and bars through Dec. 31.

The action was recommended to foster economic recovery following the COVID-19 restrictions.

The action is an extension of a resolution from March 15 which allowed outdoor seating options for this spring and summer.

“Any expanded temporary outdoor seating would expire 15 days after the first day of Phase 5 or Oct. 1, 2021, whichever is first,” according to that resolution.

So, that would mean the expanded temporary outdoor seating would expire June 26 – that is 15 days after the first day of Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan – which the state entered June 11.

Any extension of temporary outdoor seating approval required additional City Council action, officials said.

Restaurants and bars that wish to continue with outdoor seating on public property must enter into a temporary license agreement with the city, officials said.

City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins said the reason they are recommending an extension through Dec. 31 is to coincide with the state liquor licenses.

“But also, if the weather turns out to be really nice on Nov. 15, and we said it expired on Oct. 31, we would be right back here asking you to do the very same thing,” Dawkins said.

Any current licensed restaurant or bar can seek a temporary license agreement to expand outdoor seating areas on public property, with or without serving alcoholic beverages, according to the resolution.

“This is a hard end because we won’t have the authority to extend it beyond that date,” Dawkins said.

The regulations call for tables and chairs not to block sidewalks or obstruct pedestrian passage; on-street parking spaces cannot be used for pedestrian passage; public property can only be used for service – food preparation, grills and smokers are prohibited; and neighbors must sign off when shared spaces such as parking and alleys are proposed for use.

“This also applies to right-of-way,” Mayor Kevin Burns said.