Belmar Plans for a More Vital Downtown

In its next step toward creating a more vitalized and dynamic downtown, the governing body of the borough of Belmar recently adopted two ordinances which they feel will help local businesses.

An ordinance allowing for outdoor dining and sidewalk cafes as well as an ordinance allowing the outdoor display of goods were both enacted by the borough of Belmar.

Where previously, business owners would need to go before the borough's planning and zoning board to apply for outdoor dining, the process has been simplified to a permit application. It will be up to the borough's code enforcement officer to ensure that businesses maintain the public thoroughfare on sidewalks.

The same is true of the outdoor display of goods. While previously, an approved site plan was required for business to show their wares outside, the new ordinance will only require a permit from the code enforcement department.

Outdoor displays will be allowed a maximum distance of three feet from the building and will not exceed the width of the storefront. The ordinance also requires that outdoors goods displays not impede pedestrian traffic on borough sidewalks.