Cinnaminson Gives Final Approval To Outdoor Dining Plan

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Cinnaminson Township Committee gave final approval to a proposed ordinance to expand outdoor dining in the township Monday night.

Outdoor dining was already permitted under a resolution the committee passed in June. Changes to local law to allow for the institution of outdoor dining must be amended through local ordinance, but there is a provision in the governor's executive order that allows restaurants and bars to operate under a resolution while they await the public hearing and final vote on the proposed ordinance.

Township Committee approved the proposal that allows restaurants and bars in the township to serve food and drink outside for 120 days with a vote of 5-0.

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Restaurants and bars shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic in March. They were permitted to reopen for outdoor dining as of June 6. Gov. Phil Murphy previously said restaurants would be able to reopen for indoor dining in early July, but delayed that due to spikes in cases in other states and scenes at the Jersey Shore and elsewhere, where people have been congregating in close proximity.

He later said businesses could open up their indoor spaces if they can expose parts of their buildings — or "wallspace" — to the outside, and if they have an overhang. Read more here: Gov. Murphy To Allow Expanded Reopening Of NJ Dining

In New Jersey, there are now 176,693 coronavirus cases and 13,741 confirmed deaths. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Cinnaminson has 203 cases and 25 confirmed deaths, while Burlington County has 5,709 cases, 431 confirmed deaths and 48 possible deaths.

Cinnaminson approved the resolution for expanded outdoor dining last month, while introducing the proposed ordinance. Read more here: Cinnaminson Approves Outdoor Dining For Restaurants, Bars

The proposed ordinance also allows retail outdoor display areas at existing businesses, subject to local law, for the same period.

The establishments won't have to go before the planning board or pay zoning and/or construction fees, but they will have to submit sketches of their plans to the zoning officer and fire officials to ensure there are no code violations.

See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.