PIxabay/Couple enjoys dining outdoors.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE The Board of Commissioners Thursday, March 2 passed a resolution extending outdoor dining until Oct. 31.
The resolution codifies locally NJ Senate Bill 2364, which permits outdoor dining with liquor service until November 2024 with the approval of the municipality.
Restaurants that would like to continue providing outdoor dining and liquor service are required to file for a temporary permit. The zoning officer, chief of police, fire chief, fire inspector and construction code official will review the permits to ensure there are no public safety concerns with the location of the outdoor dining area.
Temporary zoning permits will be granted for six months, from May 1 through Oct. 31.
The permits are designed to allow restaurants hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic to restore revenue and recover from the financial hardships caused by closures and the state's 50% social distancing requirements.
The relief permits restaurants to serve food and drinks in parking lots and public rights of way as long as public access to sidewalks is not infringed, according to the city's Outdoor Dining ordinance.
Restaurants will not be permitted to offer outdoor seating without obtaining a temporary permit.
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