Locally Grown Northfield

The people, issues, and events of Northfield, MN

Sidewalk dining downtown: why has it failed thus far?

By Griff Wigley, on November 6, 2009, 6:34 am

Northfield’s sidewalk dining ordinance has been in effect since early 2008 but only one establishment has taken advantage of the alcohol clause: the HideAway Coffeehouse and Winebar. Five others have not. It might be helpful to find out why.

1 comment to Sidewalk dining downtown: why has it failed thus far?

1

kiffi summa says:

November 6, 2009 at 9:05 am

Griff: Why does this have to go on and on, as if it has never been discussed before?

The reason people do not take advantage of the outside dining ordinance is that when they get the papers/applications, they say “**** that” and then just don’t even apply. It is simply too burdensome for the return.

A downtown work group tried to get this in place for years against monumental staff resistance. When that work group found a ONE sheet of paper model from Webster Groves , MO, that consisted of guidelines on one side, and application on the other, the NF version …provided by staff… was I believe, a Five page ordinance, and a Three page application.

I remember Mr. O’Connell being asked in a council meeting about the Webster Groves version; his reply : Ours is almost as short…

How many years do you expect people to keep hitting their heads against the yellow brick wall?

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Sidewalk dining downtown: why has it failed thus far?

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