Council Discusses New Rules For Proposed Outdoor Dining Ordinance In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — The Council on Monday held a work session on the proposed ordinance for outdoor dining in town.

Outdoor dining became especially popular during the pandemic and residents expressed the desire to see it continue.

Mayor Mark Freda and councilmembers heard a report from Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell who highlighted staff ideas on how to go about regulating outdoor dining spaces.

Purcell noted that the Municipality had narrow as well as wide sidewalks with businesses, pedestrians ad motorists having different needs. Hence a “one size fits all” model for outdoor dining would not work.

“We have to balance the need of all the users - the motorists, people parking cars, the businesses themselves, the diners, the sidewalk users,” Purcell said.

The Municipality’s current ordinance requires an unimpeded pedestrian passageway at least six feet in width.

It also provides for an annual license allowing restaurants to operate outdoor services from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.

The engineering department also recommended three feet of buffers from the street curb, two feet of clearance from the building entrance, three feet of clearance to fire hydrants, four feet of clearance between seats and barriers and a 10 feet clearance to driveways, street corners and bus stops.

The proposed ordinance also calls for a specific litter control program. Applicants will be required to outline their litter control program along with the application.

The draft of this ordinance is open to review by businesses and residents.

To see the whole meeting click here.

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