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A Resolution Approving Temporary License Agreements with 4 Oak Park Businesses to Allow Use of On-Street Parking Spaces for Outdoor Dining through October 31, 2025, and Authorizing their Execution
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Introduction
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The Village Board has previously approved the ability of Oak Park businesses to use on-street parking spaces for outdoor dining. The 2025 season runs from May 5th through October 31st. The Village Board established the fees for this type of utilization in 2023, and of the Oak Park businesses that can utilize on-street spaces for outside dining, four (4) have submitted applications and signed Temporary License Agreements that, if approved, will allow the Village to install cement barricades in May to allow for the start of outdoor on-street dining.
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Recommended Action
Approve the Resolutions.
Prior Board Action
The Village Board reviews and renews the agreements on an annual basis for on-street dining.
Background
Since the start of the COVID-19 emergency in 2020, the Village Board has worked to support local businesses use of public on-street parking spaces to expand the utilization of outdoor dining. The Village Board waived fees associated with the use of these public spaces in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and then in 2023, established a per space/per day fee structure for the utilization of on-street parking spaces. That fee structure was utilized in 2023 and 2024, and will again be utilized in 2025.
From 2020 through 2024, several Oak Park businesses signed temporary license agreements and were approved for outdoor dining utilizing on-street parking spaces. This year, four (4) businesses have indicated a desire to participate in the on-street outdoor dining program. Those four businesses include Mora Asian Kitchen, Oak Park Waffles, Rustico OP, and Publican Quality Bread. As in the past, all of these interested businesses have completed application forms and signed Temporary License Agreements that can be executed upon approval of this agenda item. Copies of application forms, signed temporary license agreements, and resolutions for each of these businesses are attached.
The Villages’ Development Services (DS) and Public Works Departments have worked together in conjunction with restaurants/businesses like Mora Asian Kitchen to move planters and benches in front of restaurants to more appropriate locations to maximize space for on-sidewalk outdoor dining. In May, after the execution of the temporary license agreements, the DS Department will work with the Village’s Public Works Department to put in place the Village-owned cement barricades at each of the approved locations. The cement barricades were purchased in 2021 and there is no need to acquire additional barricades. The DS and Public Works departments have already begun the planning for the deployment of these barricades so that the process can be expedited following approval. If additional businesses who did not submit applications or signed Temporary License Agreements to the Village this past month indicate a desire to participate in the on-street dining program, their applications will be reviewed and brought to the Village Board for consideration at a later date.
Timing Considerations
The 2025 Season begins on May 5th through October 31st.
Budget Impact
This year, the on-street outdoor dining program will run for approximately six months from Monday, May 6th through Thursday, October 31st. Businesses who wish to participate in the on-street outdoor dining program in 2025 will compensate the Village for the costs associated with the program, including the lost parking space revenue when spaces are taken out of commission, as they did in 2023 at the same ordinance-established rate. In 2025, restaurants participating in the Village’s on-street outdoor dining program will pay the Village $10 per parking space utilized per day, six days a week. This equates to the following reimbursement to the Village: 1.) One parking space utilized = $10 a day totaling $1,550 for six months; 2.) Two parking spaces utilized = $20 a day totaling $3,100 for six months; and 3.) Three parking spaces utilized = $30 a day which totals $4,620 for six months. As of 2023, restaurants are allowed to spread out the payments over a six-month period.
Staffing Impact
The Public Works department recognizes the impact on their staff dedicated to placing the cement barricades at each site. Each site requires four (4) employees to install and remove the equipment.
Public Works and Development Services have discussed exploring a one-time installation and removal fee at an estimated cost of $400. This will be evaluated by staff and brought to the Village Board for consideration next year.
DEI Impact
The restaurants that qualify for on-street outdoor dining and have not previously told staff that they are not interested in this option have been contacted about this opportunity. The businesses that have requested this opportunity are presented here for your consideration. If additional businesses express interest in the future, Village staff will bring them to the Board for consideration. The environment may have been modified in some areas by moving street furniture and flower planters to protect the required five-foot clearance for accessibility and encourage street-level activity. The fees established for this opportunity are equal for every business that applies.
Community Input
There has been no community input given in relation to this item.
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Resolution.
Advantages:
• Approving the license agreements would allow restaurants to expand their seating capacity, helping businesses to accommodate more customers
• On-street dining can make an area more vibrant, attracting tourists and locals, benefiting not just restaurants but also nearby businesses
Disadvantages:
• The proposed dining takes up parking spaces, which limits on-street parking for customers
Alternatives
Alternative 1: The Village Board could choose not to approve the Resolution.
Advantages:
• There would be no impact on staff time or reduction in street parking
Disadvantages:
• Businesses would not be able to participate in outdoor dining
Alternative 2: The Village Board could choose not to allow interested Oak Park restaurants to utilize and pay for the use of on-street parking spaces for outdoor dining.
Advantages:
• Staff would work with the restaurants to identify creative ways to utilize sidewalk dining and not impact the right-of-way.
Disadvantages:
• Restaurants would likely be unable to participate in outdoor dining given the space limitations outside their establishments.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation to this item.
Prepared By: Noemy Diaz, Administrative Officer of Development Services
Reviewed By: Craig Failor, Development Services Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Mora Asian Kitchen - Resolution
2. Mora - Temporary License Agreement - 2025
3. Oak Park Waffles
4. Oak Park Waffles - Temporary License Agreement - 2025
5. Publican Quality Bread - Resolution - Alley Use
6. Publican License Agreement
7. Rustico OP- Resolution
8. Rustico OP- Temporary License Agreement - 2025