Planning Board Approves Of Moorestown Outdoor Dining Plan

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The Moorestown Planning Board has helped paved the way for restaurants and bars to serve food and drink outside through the end of the year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With a 9-0 vote, the Planning Board found Township Council’s proposed ordinance that allows restaurants to expand their footprint to allow outdoor dining amid the coronavirus pandemic consistent with the township’s master plan during a special meeting Thursday night.

There will now be a public hearing and final vote on the proposed ordinance at the July 13 council meeting. If approved, it will take effect 20 days later, which would be in the beginning of August.

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However, restaurants and bars don’t have to wait until then to begin serving patrons outside, as council has already passed a resolution that allows them to do so until the ordinance could conceivably take effect.

Many towns have only passed resolutions that allowed their town’s establishments to begin outside service, but Moorestown Township Manager Tom Merchel felt it was important to have an ordinance in place spelling out what the local establishments could do. Read more here: Moorestown Moves On Approval For Outdoor Dining

The proposal was found to be consistent with the master plan as part of the master plan promotes public health and safety, Planner Michelle Taylor said.

Any restaurant that wants to expand its footprint will have to apply for a permit. In their plan, they must spell out how they will do it and how they will do it safely, complying with social distancing guidelines and safety measures set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

They must also show how they will keep customers safe from vehicular traffic, as well as where trash cans will be located, what lighting will be used and what constructs will be used to expand outdoor seating.

Restaurants will have to get permission from neighboring businesses, including from owners and tenants where applicable, to expand their footprint.

The township has the right to revoke a permit at its sole discretion for that reason and any other number of unforeseen circumstances.

If a restaurant owner changes anything about the setup once their plan is approved, their permit would have to go back before the township for further evaluation.

The township can't be held liable for any incidents that take place in these expanded areas.
Road closures are not included in the proposed ordinance. No establishment has expressed a desire to put seating in the road, and establishments at the mall can’t go into the drive lane, Merchel said.

The township has no intention to close roads at this time, but if the need arises down the road, that could be done through a separate resolution, Merchel said.

If approved, the ordinance will remain in effect until unrestricted indoor dining resumes. This means the restaurant is able to serve to its maximum capacity again.

If indoor dining returns but restaurant capacity remains restricted, outdoor dining will be allowed to continue. At no point will a restaurant be permitted to serve beyond its designated maximum capacity. Read more here: Here’s What To Do At NJ Bars, Restaurants Under Coronavirus Rules

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know