Fairfield Planners Expand Outdoor Dining Regulations

FAIRFIELD, CT — Out of necessity for social distancing during the pandemic, restaurants expanded their outdoor dining options, and those options have become quite popular, especially in Fairfield, which has a rich food tradition.

Earlier this week, the Town Plan and Zoning Commission codified many of those options by unanimously voting to expand the outdoor dining regulations. The need to expand the regulations is due to the state coronavirus executive orders, which relaxed outdoor dining rules, set to expire in April.

Under the decision, restaurants can have up to 400 square feet of outdoor dining space instead of 150 square feet; restaurants will no longer have to have three-quarters of their patrons inside; and the word "seasonal" is now removed from the regs, meaning restaurants can have outdoor dining anytime, weather permitting and if heating can be provided.

Additionally, restaurants that seek to use parking spaces for outdoor dining, must either have enough excess parking to handle it, or seek a variance from Zoning Board of Appeals.

The town's Community and Economic Development office sought the expanded regulations, and initially wanted the outdoor dining space to be 575 square feet, but settled on a compromise of 400 square feet.

According to Fairfield Planning Director Jim Wendt, since 1990, the commission has approved 65 outdoor dining applications, which have been a positive for the town.

"These facilities have been successfully administered and widely supported by the community without adverse impact," Wendt told the commissioners Tuesday.

Commissioner Lenny Braman agreed. "Outdoor dining has long been a part of Fairfield, and long been a part of the economic landscape here. During Covid, it became critical to businesses and to patrons alike."

Braman added that he favored the changes because they would "be a benefit to the town without any significant negative consequences."