Subject:
Title
Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission on May 11, 2022 for Text Amendments Related to Outdoor Dining in Sections 18-72, 18-74, and 18-210.
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
Emergency Ordinance for Outdoor Dining
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town Code required a conditional use permit for outdoor dining, per Section 18-72, Section 18-74, and Section 18-210. Conditional use permits require a review by the Planning Commission and a decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals. A $1,500 fee is also associated with a conditional use permit. Additionally, per the current zoning ordinance, off-street parking spaces cannot be utilized for outdoor dining.
On June 1, 2020, the Vienna Town Council approved an emergency ordinance to permit temporary waivers of Town Code regulations for outdoor commercial activity, specifically to assist businesses that were adversely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Town Council approved several extensions of the emergency ordinance, with the last one to not be extended beyond six-months from the June 30, 2021 expiration of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s State of Emergency.
From June 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021, 22 restaurants received approval for temporary outdoor dining. Of those 22 restaurants, 13 utilized off-street parking spaces for outdoor dining space. In October 2021, staff observed a total of 58 off-street parking spaces being utilized. (Staff has provided photos of these restaurants from April 2022 as an update to observations made in October 2021).
Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments
To address the ongoing need for outdoor dining and plan for the expiration of emergency ordinance, Town Council directed the Planning Commission to consider text amendments that would allow outdoor dining on a more permanent basis, without the need to receive a conditional use permit. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Nov. 3, 2021 and voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the text amendments as presented to the Town Council.
On Nov. 15, 2021, the Vienna Town Council held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance related to the allowance of outdoor dining. Several residents and business owners provided comments during the hearing. In addition, Council received 100+ emails on the matter. After hearing concerns of noise and voicing other potential issues with outdoor dining, the Council voted to close the public hearing and continue the discussion to the Dec. 6, 2021 regular meeting, after holding a conference session on Nov. 30, 2021.
At the Nov. 30, 2021 discussion a majority of councilmembers supported the idea of allowing restaurants currently with temporary permits for outdoor dining to continue operating under those permits for another six months past the emergency ordinance expiration (June 30, 2022), with a couple of additional conditions. The conditions include limiting the number of seats within off-street parking spaces and restricting the hours that outdoor dining can be occupied if the dining is within so many feet of residential properties. The Town Council adopted those changes on Dec. 6, 2021, and acknowledged the need to revisit outdoor dining prior to June 30, 2022.
Additional Text Amendments
The Town Council now wishes amend the zoning ordinance sections related to outdoor dining prior to the June 30, 2022 sunset date. Outdoor dining is regulated in Section 18-72, Section 18-74, and Section 18-210 of Chapter 18 of the Town Code.
Staff notes that two of the biggest concerns with outdoor dining remain noise and parking. At the public hearing on Nov. 15, 2021, some residents expressed concerns about existing outdoor dining for nearby restaurants, specifically along Church Street. There were also concerns from Councilmembers about potential future conflicts between other restaurants and nearby residential neighborhoods. Concerns were also expressed about the number of parking spaces potentially being taken up by outdoor dining and the potential increase for demand with more outdoor seats.
Staff has proposed amending Sections 18-72, 18-74, and 18-210 to allow different types outdoor dining for restaurants, which includes permanent outdoor seating outside a restaurant and outdoor seasonal seating in off-street parking spaces. Staff has proposed a number of conditions for these outdoor uses, including requiring a conditional use permit for permanent outdoor dining when more than 12 seats are proposed. Staff has also proposed the prohibiting outdoor dining within 75 feet of a property zoned for residential uses. Maps demonstrating this 75-foot buffer are included with this item. Additionally, the seasonal dining within off-street parking spaces would be limited from April 1 to Oct. 31.
Staff has not proposed revisions to Section 18-87.1, which requires site plan approval through the Town Council for any outdoor seating proposed for a property developed under the Church Street Vision.
Strategic Plan Initiative: Vienna as a complete community
Board or Commission of Interest: Planning Commission
Departmental Recommendation: The Planning Commission and Town Council must hold a public hearing prior to approving and adopting zoning text amendments.
Finance Recommendation:
Purchasing Recommendation:
Town Attorney Recommendation: Pursuant to Town Code Section 18-247, the Town Council and the Planning Commission may conduct a Joint Public Hearing to consider the adoption of a Zoning Code amendment. The Town Council may set a Joint Public Hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Zoning Code text amendment, in the discretion of the Town Council.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council close the public hearing and take any action deemed necessary.
Cost and Financing: N/A
Account Number: N/A
Decision Needed by This date: N/A
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
“I move to close the public hearing.”
And
"I move to approve the outdoor dining text amendments to Sections 18-72, 18-74, and 18-210 as presented after finding the amendments further good zoning practices."
And
“I further move to direct the Town Clerk to advertise the intent to adopt the ordinance on June 6, 2022.”
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.