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488 <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: INCREASING FEES FOR SIDEWALK CAFES <br />ORDINANCE: VENDOR AND SIDEWALK CAFI2 AMENDMENTS (2nd reading) <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said the ordinance has been amended to read that for cafds with space <br />over 800 square feet, space will not be reallocated unless the business is sold, and to <br />increase cafd fees from $2 to $3 per square feet. He said requiring vendors to be 15 feet <br />from business fronts is being addressed by having designated vendor spaces. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said we should make sure vendors have Virginia sales tax collection <br />licenses in place when they get a City license. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said this ordinance satisfies the majority and returns fees to the City in <br />a fair manner. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch made a motion to approve the amended vendor and sidewalk cafd <br />ordinance and new fee schedule, and Mr. Caravati seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said that one concern he has with the ordinance is the requirement <br />that people on the mall for community or political reasons have to comply with design <br />guidelines. He said he is not sure that needs to be regulated and he would like us to strike <br />that regulation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that while that requirement is new in the ordinance, it is <br />something that the City has been requiring. He said it gives City staff the ability to give <br />them the rules when they want to set up a table. He noted there is no charge. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said the ordinance says that a stand is defined as a chair. He said he <br />does not think it is a good idea to limit people in this way. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati asked if there any design restrictions on chairs, and Mr. Tolbert said <br /> <br />no. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked about table requirements, and Mr. Tolbert said tables are <br />required to have dark tablecloths that go to the ground. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked how long it takes to get a certificate, and Mr. Tolbert said it can <br />be instantaneous if appropriate is in the office. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said a lot of these type of activities are spontaneous, and he does not <br />see limiting speech or handing out of literature. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said since they are not selling anything, he is not sure they have to get <br />a certificate of appropriateness. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tolbert said that everyone who has a table is required to get a certificate of <br />appropriateness. He said it was put in the ordinance to clarify the requirement. He said it <br />has never been an issue with anyone. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said Mr. Schilling's point is well taken, but she is comfortable as to <br />the intent. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown agreed with Ms. Hamilton. He said valid concerns have been <br />expressed and if we hear that the ordinance inhibits people Council can revisit the matter. <br />He said it is a tool to enable us to make sure people are in the right places on the mall. <br /> <br /> Councilors agreed to amend the ordinance by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. <br />Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch. Noes: Mr. Schilling. <br /> <br /> <br />