Bob and list members- Unfortunately I am quite tied up today with a million other issues but I wanted to take a quick moment over lunch to respond and clarify a few things. First, sidewalk cafes on the Mall are required to be set back a minimum distance of 5 feet from the street. For some the distance requirement is even greater as much as 8 feel in some areas. Cafes that are currently closer to the street are in violation of their license and as of yesterday afternoon we have called an inspector to go out and rectify the situation. . Second, as to the Mall in particular, approval for sidewalk cafe's is reviewed by the Nicollet Mall advisory board - a group of property owners on the Mall including the residents and non-profits. The City Council usually takes their recommendation for approvals based on their review and comment of each individual application. I now am concerned because their approvel and the City approval as well, does not take into consideration all of the other things like planters, light poles and bus stops in the right of way as well. This needs to change as we review the ordinance. Third, one of the main drivers of this problem is the ordinance requirement that all of the cafe furniture, planters and fencing must be taken in each night and then put out again every morning. The result of this is basically the ability to move around the fencing, planters, tables and chairs every day. Some days the cafes move out further, some days they move in a bit but it is left up to the different staff every day where the furniture goes. The ordinance change Council Member Schiff and I are proposing will result in a more permanent placement of the fencing off of the area for the outdoor seating. With that regulation eliminated our inspectors can go out and see if the traffic pattern for pedestrians is working or not based on the specific location of each cafe and know for certain that once they leave the area tables and chairs will not meander out of their approved location. In addition, this change will also encourage better quality furniture, fencing and other decorations like planters or flowers because they will not be required to bring everything in each night and store it. What happens now is that plastic seating is used a lot, maybe not as much on the Mall but certainly everywhere else, as it is easy to stack, carry and store. Rest assured the more permanent outdoor furniture will be moved in order to plow, sweep or clean, will not sit outside in bad weather and will be preeminently removed as winter approaches. A public hearing on this issue is currently scheduled in front of the Public Safety and Regulatory Services committee on July 31st at 1:30. In the meantime, if you see a cafe which is clearly impeding access to public right of way - feel free to take a moment to let the manger or other staff know of your concern. It is not possible to have an inspector out all over the city every day looking for problem sidewalk cafes. I believe we want a vibrant downtown neighborhood filled with pedestrians and outdoor dining. The apparent success of the South Nicollet Mall in this regard is great to see and like everything - one action causes a reaction. I believe with better enforcement and a few changes in our regulations we can have a great Mall for pedestrian's and those who like to eat outside like me! Lisa Goodman Loring Park Neighborhood
-----Original Message----- From: Robert Copeland [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 10:13 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Goodman/Schiff sidewalk cafe proposal Let's stay focused on the Goodman/Schiff proposal, and not go off into a dreamland about closing the Nicollet Mall to motorized traffic. We need to make recommendations to our council representatives that will help them in drafting their sidewalk cafe ordinance. I hope that they've heard the repeated theme of "not enough room for pedestrians" in all of this discussion. When it gets to the point where you can't even accommodate two people passing each other without walking into light poles (such as the 10th Street corner where The Local's sidewalk cafe has spilled dangerously close to the street), it is no longer a "pedestrian mall." Please, Lisa & Gary, make sure that there is clear language in your sidewalk cafe proposal that specifies a minimum walking space between the sidewalk cafe and the street-furniture of planters, light poles and signs. It's not enough to specify footage distance to the curb or the street, as so much of that space is not walkable and can be very dangerous. As someone who lives downtown and walks the length of the Mall on a daily basis, I've got to say I'm beginning to resent the very sidewalk cafes that I enjoy sitting at. They've been allowed to take too much of the public space to make a profit for themselves. Anything less than a clear walking space of six feet is totally inadequate (and for a "pedestrian mall" you should make sure those pedestrians have a good and safe experience when visiting and shopping on the Nicollet Mall. I expect that the volume of people using the Mall really requires a clear walking space at least 10 feet wide to accommodate two couples passing each other). Should we have to settle for less in the public realm? I say no. Lisa Goodman has shown excellent leadership and judgement on many sticky issues facing the city. I hope that she can make Nicollet a dynamic place which is safe and pleasant for all users and activities, not just the cafe crowd. Bob Copeland Loring Park _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
