*The BID is excited about this opportunity for restaurants to safely offer expanded outdoor dining, as well as for retail stores to utilize this space for outdoor shopping!*
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Richard V. Scali, Director Tuesday, June 16, 2020 508-862-4774
TOWN OF BARNSTABLE ANNOUNCES GUIDELINES FOR TEMPORARY OUTDOOR EXPANSION
HYANNIS, MA – In conjunction with the Governor’s directives for Phase II, the Town of Barnstable has released guidelines for expansion of outdoor space for dining facilities and retail space. These guidelines will also complement the plans to close one lane of traffic on Main Street as was announced last week.
The guidelines allow for a streamlined approach to a multi-departmental approval. Remote meeting reviews will be held with many of the Town’s departments and the applicants. Richard Scali, Licensing Director, and Maggie Flynn, Permit Coordinator, are prescreening the applications for appropriateness and coordinating the plan review. Mr. Scali has been given the approval by the Licensing Authority to administratively review and approve the license extension of premises applications with notice to the Licensing Authority and to the Alcohol Beverages Control Commission. The Governor, through the Legislature, has relaxed the laws by allowing local authorities to approve temporary alcohol extensions of premises which will be in effect until November 1, 2020. The Board of Health has also given administrative approval to the Health Director Thomas McKean to review the applications and to allow temporary exemptions to requirements for outdoor dining as appropriate while maintaining public safety.
Licensing Director Richard Scali stated, “This was a multi-departmental approach which was developed in cooperation with Licensing, Planning & Development, Inspectional Services, and Asset Management as well as local Fire Districts in record speed. It will allow our restaurants to be open and operating as soon as possible with expansion of existing outside dining or new patios on private or public space or a combination thereof.” All restaurants’ outside space must adhere to the social distancing seating and walkway guidelines as laid out by the Governor’s directives and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines.
Town Manager Mark Ells stated, “Town staff has worked hard to think outside the box and work with civic and town leaders to come up with a plan that will consider the needs of all our businesses. The plan is still subject to adjustments as we move forward. Each business has its own special set of circumstances and space limitations.”
For details of the Guidelines and an application, please go to: https://town.barnstable.ma.us/Departments/LicensingDivision/News_and_Updates/Reopening-Guidelines-Package.pdf or email: [email protected] or Site Plan at [email protected].