Temporary tents an issue with proposed outdoor dining expansion in Downers Grove

Downers Grove officials are considering the expansion of outdoor dining regulations beyond the village’s historic downtown.

As a reaction to COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, Downers Grove joined with other towns that allowed outdoor dining as an emergency measure to support struggling downtown restaurants. Outdoor dining was popular, so many villages have standardized their regulations.

Last month, the Downers Grove Village Council approved further amendments for its downtown outdoor dining program. But commissioners also directed the village manager’s office to draw up outdoor dining codes to be more equitable for restaurants throughout the rest of the village.

Community development director Stan Popovich presented a draft report of proposed rules. These include regulations on keeping outdoor cafes within or adjacent to private parking lots and the physical barriers needed to safely separate diners from drivers.

Temporary outdoor cafes also are not to have more seats outside than inside an establishment. Outdoor dining also cannot displace the required parking for restaurants.

One issue the commissioners diverged upon was the report’s suggested ban on temporary tents.

“I would like to direct staff to remove the restrictions on tents and explore options that would include properly installed temporary structures,” said Commissioner Danny Glover, who is the owner of the Downers Grove restaurant Skuddlebutts Pizza & Catering.

Citing unfavorable weather conditions, Glover said temporary tents were necessary. Glover also wanted the current limit of 180 days for a temporary tent to mirror the allowable 240 days from March 15 to Nov. 15 for outdoor cafes.

“Going from 180 days to 240 days – six months – is quite a bit for a temporary use,” Commissioner Nicole Walus said.

“To me, it’s an aesthetic thing,” Commissioner Greg Hosé said. “I’m all in favor of encouraging outdoor dining. I think it’s great for our restaurant community, but I’d like it to meet the same sort of aesthetic standard of the rest of our village.”

Downers Grove Mayor Bob Barnett expressed his support of temporary tents. But he also wondered aloud about the ability to regulate them properly.

“What would be the code elements? What would be the enforcement elements? What would be the permitting elements?” Barnett asked. “I’d like to understand that in a little more detail if we are going to allow tents.”

Village Manager David Fieldman said his office would take the mayor and commissioners’ suggestions aboard to revise the draft report.

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20220304/temporary-tents-an-issue-with-proposed-outdoor-dining-expansion-in-downers-grove