By Jordyn Brown
Springfield business owners can expand outdoor seating options for customers after a change made by the City Council this week.
The new resolution, which was approved by the council in June, allows for the temporary expansion of outdoor seating areas to help business owners offer more seating due to COVID-19 rules. The permit now allows “the ability to place outdoor seating within parking, sidewalk and landscape areas, within the city’s right-of-way,” city spokeswoman Amber Fossen said in a news release.
The permit applies to retail and dining businesses for the purpose of serving food or drink. It is available citywide, and the permits are subject to approval from the city.
There is typically a $28 application fee, but that is waived at this time. It’s a temporary change, and will only be an option while the state of Oregon and Lane County are in declared emergencies due to COVID-19.