[Added 8-9-2011 by Ord. No. MC-4629]
A.
The purpose of this article regulating the business hours of restaurants,
retail food establishments, and retail sales and service businesses
in the City of Camden is to:
(1)
Improve the quality of life for residents in the residential areas
of the City, particularly during the late night/early morning hours.
(2)
Decrease the incidence of arrests, criminal activity, nuisance complaints,
and littering associated with large crowds of individuals congregating
in, or in close proximity to, residential areas in the City during
the late night/early morning hours, which individually and collectively
have a negative impact on the quality of life for residents.
(3)
Discourage activities that compromise the public safety of residents
and business patrons in certain areas of the City during the late
night/early morning hours.
(4)
Provide for the efficient, effective and economical provision of
scarce government resources in addressing each of the aforementioned
purposes.
B.
From input provided by residents of the City's neighborhoods and
by the Police Department, Department of Code Enforcement and Department
of Public Works, this City Council finds that a uniform closing time
for businesses located within a residential zone or a certain distance
from a residential zone, may significantly:
(1)
Reduce the crowds of individuals who are attracted to businesses
located in, or in close proximity to, residential areas in the City,
which businesses remain open during the late night/early morning hours
when similar businesses in other parts of the City have long since
closed.
(2)
Discourage crowds of individuals from congregating not only on the
main streets and thoroughfares, but also onto adjoining residential
streets, lots and parking areas, which prevents neighborhood residents
from sleeping, safely walking their streets and enjoying the peace
and quiet of their homes.
(3)
Reduce the incidence of disorderly conduct and criminal activities,
including loitering, littering, public drinking, drug dealing, noise,
disturbance and other unlawful acts during the late night/early morning
hours, which would lead to a commensurate reduction in the need for
police presence and calls for police service in, or in close proximity
to, residential areas.
(4)
Reduce debris in residential areas from improperly discarded food
containers, wrappings, bottles, cans, utensils, and decomposing food
products.
For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
Establishments primarily engaged in providing services involving
the care of a person or his or her goods or apparel, including, but
not limited to, laundering, shoe repair, hair and body care, tailoring,
travel agents, spas, tanning salons, and nutrition/weight loss centers.
R-1, R-2 or R-3 Residential Zone, as defined in the City's
Zoning Code.[1]
Includes all of the following:
RESTAURANT, SIT-DOWNAn establishment where food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, are prepared and sold and consumed primarily on the premises, where food sales constitute more than 50% of the gross sales receipts for all food and beverages. Such an establishment may include table or self-service, and food and beverages may be consumed either inside or at designated outdoor seating areas.
RESTAURANT, CARRYOUTAn establishment where food and beverages are prepared and sold for consumption on or off premises (customer tables or counters typically available). Such an establishment may take phone orders for food and may deliver food to customers.
RESTAURANT, DRIVE-THROUGHAn establishment where food and beverages are prepared and sold for consumption on or off premises, and which includes one or more drive-through customer service windows.
TAVERN or BARAn establishment where food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, are prepared and sold and consumed on the premises, where food sales constitute 50% or less of the gross sales receipts for all food and beverages.
An establishment where food and beverages are offered for
retail sale for consumption off premises. Such foods or beverages
may be packaged in a ready-to-consume state or may come packaged and
sold in bulk quantities. Examples of retail food establishments include,
without limitation, grocery stores, ice cream shops, retail mini-marts,
bakeries, and delicatessens.
Establishments engaged in selling goods or merchandise to
the general public for personal or household consumption and rendering
services incidental to the sale of such goods, including, but not
limited to, specialty shops and boutiques.
A.
Restaurants, retail food establishments, retail sales, and personal
services businesses located within a Residential Zone or within 200
feet of a Residential Zone may operate in the City only within the
time restrictions set forth in this section:
B.
The distance of 200 feet to a Residential Zone is measured in a straight
line from the lot line of the restaurant, retail food establishment,
retail sales, or personal services business to the border of the Residential
Zone.
C.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, the time limitations
in this section do not apply to the following:
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, penalties against persons violating the provisions of this chapter shall be imposed in accordance with the provisions of § 1-15 of the City Code.
