Public Hearings on Outdoor Seating Restrictions

There will be a public hearing on a proposal to restrict outdoor seating at Minneapolis businesses that serve alcohol on June 6.

The is authored by Ward 10 City Council Member Meg Tuthill (we'll have a full piece on it later this week, so check back). The public hearing will take place in the Regulatory, Energy and Environment Committee, which is chaired by Ward 8 Council Member Elizabeth Glidden.

As the city describes the proposal's impacts: 

These amendments, if adopted, will require license holders to specify the maximum customer capacity in outdoor areas, including sidewalk cafes, at establishments with beverage alcohol licenses.  Additionally, the City Council may impose reasonable standards to control nuisance activities such as excessive noise, operating hours, and loitering, for example.

Here are some of the changes proposed by Tuthill:

• Bans outdoor amplification (like stereos) after 10 p.m.
• Allows City Council to reduce the hours of already licensed outdoor seating areas.
• Requires the posting of a sign reminding bar-goers to respect neighbors and their property.
• Posted sign also must have a phone number that is to be answered by a manager for complaints during all hours of operation.
• Gives the City Council the authority to impose other restrictions on outdoor areas because of concerns of nearby residents.

People who want to learn more about the proposal can do so at a meeting Wednesday, May 25, at the Pohlad Room at the Downtown Central Library, 
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

You can also submit comments to the city here.