The Huron City Commission got more questions than answers during the first reading of an ordinance to regulate and give guidance to businesses wanting to establish outdoor serving areas on city sidewalks. The ordinance creates two zones, a leased zone, for businesses where more than 50-percent of it’s gross revenue is from alcohol sales.A permit zone is designed for businesses where more than 50-percent of gross revenue is based on prepared food sales. Some of the discussion centered around fencing to keep the businesses zone separate from the sidewalk. Mayor Dave McGirr says some of the definitions seem vague…
Another wrinkle in the process are businesses along roads where the sidewalk is actually a right-of-way to a state highway, like Highway 37 as it moves through downtown Huron. City Attorney Gerry Kaufman suggested that a business would not only need city approval but that from the South Dakota Department of Transportation. McGirr says working with the D-O-T is not an easy process…
Kaufman countered saying state approval on routes that could use STIP funds or state gas tax money would leave a paper trail to protect the city from a liability standpoint. The second reading of the ordinance is tentatively scheduled for next Monday. You can hear the entire debate on the sidewalk business ordinance by using the audio player here:Sidewalk Biz 35 min