Submitted By
Emily Egan, Development Services Director
Reviewed By
Erin E. Baynes, Assistant to the Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Temporary License Agreement with Publican Quality Breads Oak Park, LLC to Allow the Use of an Alleyway for Outdoor Dining Through November 30, 2024 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
The Village Board has approved the ability of Oak Park businesses to use both on-street parking spaces and alleyways for outdoor dining through November 30th of each year. Publican Quality Breads Oak Park, LLC has requested the use of the public alley immediately adjacent to its business at 211 Harrison Street. This business applied for and signed a temporary license agreement that, if approved, will allow the Village to install both cement barricades and metal bollards in May to allow for the start of the outdoor on-street/alley dining season. This alley has been closed in prior years for a previous Oak Park business at this location.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
Since the start of the COVID-19 emergency in 2020, the Village Board has worked to support local businesses use of public sidewalks, on-street parking spaces, and alleys for outdoor dining.
In both 2021 and 2022, the Village approved temporary license agreements with Oak Park business Rare Bird Preserves for the use of the alleyway on the north side of Harrison Street, between S. Lombard Avenue and S. Harvey Avenue. In 2021, the Village Manager was able to sign the temporary license agreement for the alleyway because of the emergency order in place. In 2022, the Village Board approved the resolution to allow this alley’s closure.
This year, new business Publican Quality Breads Oak Park has applied for the use of this alley space and a copy of its application is attached. The business will submit the required insurance.
After the execution of the temporary license agreement, the Development Services Department will work with the Village’s Public Works Department in May to install the Village-owned cement barricades and/or bollards at this location. The cement barricades were purchased in 2021 and there is no need to acquire additional barricades. The DS Department and Public Works have already begun the planning for the deployment of these barricades so that the process may be expedited upon approval.
Village staff has discussed Publican Quality Breads’ request with the Arts Business District at its monthly meetings in February and March. There were no objections to the request by business association officers or business members in attendance at the meeting.
Fiscal Impact
The Village has a previously approved fee structure for on-street public parking spaces that are utilized for outdoor dining. The Village charges the same amount for the use of the alley. If approved, Publican Quality Breads will pay that outdoor dining fee for the 2024 season.
DEI Impact
Village staff has discussed Publican Quality Breads’ request with the Arts Business District at their monthly meetings in February and March. There were no objections to the request by business association officers or business members in attendance at the meeting.
The alley has multiple access points. Access to the alley will not be impeded and no business on this southern stretch of Harrison Street will be prevented access to their business.
Alternatives
N/A
Previous Board Action
On May 2, 2022, the Village Board approved the closure and use of this same alley by the previous business at 211 Harrison, Rare Bird Preserves.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
If this outdoor eating area proves popular, this resolution may be considered annually by the Village Board. There will be no subsequent recommendations related to this item in 2024 that require future board action. At the end of the 2024 season, Village staff intends to provide the Village Board with a summary from Publican Quality Breads indicating the importance of this usable outdoor space to their business.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A