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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2020-065 Sidewalk Cafes, Parking Modifications for Outdoor Dining; Waiving Permit FeesA RESOLUTION RESOLUTION NO. R-2020-065 waiving permit fees for sidewalk cafes and modifications converting private parking spaces into outdoor dining areas, pursuant to the declaration of emergency, as extended. WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Yakima declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was ratified by the City Council on March 13, 2020; and WHEREAS, this emergency declaration was extended by the City Council to June 4, 2020; and WHEREAS, the emergency declaration states that the Mayor may take whatever measures the Mayor deems necessary and reasonable to respond to the threat of COVID-19 and to protect the public health and safety of the City's residents; and WHEREAS, the State of Washington has declared a state of emergency and Governor Inslee has instituted a phased plan for reopening businesses, government buildings, and large gatherings called the "Safe Start Washington" plan; and WHEREAS, the Safe Start Washington plan includes capacity restrictions for restaurants and taverns, including initially opening those establishments at less than 50% occupancy, increasing incrementally to 75% capacity, and then in the final phase of reopening, allowing full occupancy; and WHEREAS, the Mayor has deemed that it is necessary and reasonable to waive the permit fee of $50.00 for a sidewalk cafe permit under Yakima Municipal Code 5.80, which will provide restaurants and bars an opportunity to increase their capacity in outdoor seating areas making it more likely that they can open sooner and be successful under Governor Inslee's phased reopening plan; and WHEREAS, the Mayor has deemed that it is necessary and reasonable to waive the application fee of $100.00 for development permit modifications for restaurants and bars seeking to convert private parking spaces, as required under their development permits and Yakima Municipal Code 15.06, to outdoor dining space to promote increased capacity making it more likely that they can open sooner and be successful under Governor Inslee's phased reopening plan; and WHEREAS, upon a vote of the City Council, the City Council has agreed that both of these fee waivers is necessary and reasonable during the duration of the City's emergency declaration; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City, its residents and businesses, and consistent with the emergency declaration, Resolution 2020-050, to waive permit fees to increase outdoor seating capacity for restaurants and bars during the City of Yakima emergency declaration and Governor Inslee's Safe Start Washington plan; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: Section 1: The permit fee of $50.00 provided for in Yakima Municipal Code 5.80.020(I)(B) is hereby waived during the term of the City of Yakima Proclamation of Civil Emergency and Order regarding a state of emergency in the City of Yakima due to the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") and throughout Governor Inslee's Safe Start Washington phased reopening of the state's economy, including any extensions thereof. No other sections of YMC 5.80 are affected by this Resolution. Section 2: The application fee of $100.00 required to be submitted with an application to modify development permits is hereby waived in cases where the applicant is a restaurant or bar and wishes to convert private parking spaces approved in its development permit to outdoor dining space. A site plan will be required for the modification and planning staff may ask for additional information as deemed necessary to evaluate the request. The modification shall be temporary and shall expire upon expiration of the City of Yakima emergency declaration, Resolution 2020-50, and any extensions approved by the City Council, or the entry of Phase 4 of Governor Inslee's Safe Start Washington plan wherein restaurants and bars are allowed to operate at 100% capacity, whichever is later in time. No other sections of YMC 15.17 are affected by this Resolution. Section 3: Sections 1 and 2 of this Resolution shall only be effective during the pendency of the City of Yakima emergency declaration, Resolution 2020-050, and any extensions approved by the City Council, the State of Washington declaration of emergency and any extensions, and Governor Inslee's Safe Start Washington plan to phase reopening of businesses in Washington. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 2nd day of June, 2020. ATTEST: *SonyaCla.r ee, City Clerk Patncia Byers, Mayor ITEM TITLE: SUBMITTED BY: BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEM ENT Item No. 7. For Meeting of: June 2, 2020 Resolution facilitating use of public spaces to accommodate restaurants and bars during COVI D-19 emergency Joan Davenport, Community Development Director Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney SUMMARY EXPLANATION: At the Council's May 19, 2020 Council meeting, Council members requested information and possible legislative action on the waiver of the fee for sidewalk cafes to accommodate outdoor dining for restaurants and bars due to the COVI D-19 emergency and phased reopening plan for the state of Washington. Attached is a memo outlining the current sidewalk cafe ordinance, waiver of the fee, and an additional option for restaurants and bars that have their own private parking lots. ITEM BUDGETED: STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Economic Development APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution. ATTACHMENTS: Description Memo -Facilitating Ilse o 19 Pandemic CI ublic CI esolution- a no Permit F paces Cari ng V Upload Date /2212020 5/2212020 Type emo esolution