[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Ligonier 8-13-2009 by Ord. No. 544. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 135.
The Ligonier Borough Council encourages attractive, functional
and economically vital community and shopping areas that are safe
and pleasant environments to live near and to do business within.
As the current Code does not allow sidewalk cafes, Council believes
that sidewalk cafes can contribute to a pedestrian-friendly community
if they conform to specific public health and safety requirements
defined herein. This chapter permits and regulates outdoor dining
on the public right-of-way within the Borough. This chapter does not
regulate outdoor dining on private property.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
Property contiguous to a public street right-of-way on which
a sidewalk cafe will be operated under the terms of this chapter.
Includes any owner of fee simple title, part owner, joint
owner, tenant in common, tenant in partnership, joint tenant or tenant
by the entirety of the whole of the land contiguous to the street
right-of-way on which a sidewalk cafe is to be operated under the
authority of this chapter. An authorized agent of the owner may act
for the owner under this chapter.
That paved portion of a sidewalk area which is free of any
obstruction, fixture or appurtenance and is used for pedestrian travel.
Includes a partnership, corporation, association, trust,
estate, or other legally recognized entity, as well as an individual.
A public telephone, mailbox, bench or other facility provided
for the use of the general public.
A food service establishment where food is purchased and
served in individual portions for consumption on the premises. This
term shall not include an establishment which operates exclusively
as a caterer, a commissary, a food processing establishment, a mobile
food unit, a retail food store, or a temporary food service establishment.
Any paved area between the curbline and a structure, whether
publicly or privately owned, which is used by the public or open to
use by the public.
An outdoor dining area operated by a restaurant, has tables
that seat one or more patrons, is with or without wait staff for its
patrons, and is located on a sidewalk area or other designated public
place.
No person shall engage in the operation of a sidewalk cafe without
first applying for and obtaining a permit from the Borough of Ligonier
("Borough") and then operating within the terms and conditions of
all applicable Borough ordinances. The sidewalk cafe permit enables
a restaurant to have outdoor dining consistent with the terms herein
during the calendar year for which the permit is issued.
Each applicant for a permit under this chapter shall submit
an application on a form provided by the Borough, and plans for the
sidewalk cafe to the Borough, which shall issue a permit upon compliance
with the terms and conditions of this chapter. Applications for sidewalk
cafe permits shall include the following:
A.
The name of the applicant, the relationship of the applicant to the
restaurant to which the cafe is accessory (owner, manager, etc.) and
the street address of the property where the sidewalk cafe is proposed.
If the applicant is other than the owner of the building abutting
the location of the proposed sidewalk cafe, the applicant must provide
written authorization from the property owner stating that the property
owner has no objection to the sidewalk cafe;
B.
A copy of the current business license;
C.
A site plan with dimensions showing:
(1)
The entirety of the sidewalk abutting the property of the owner showing
sidewalk widths;
(2)
The frontage of the property proposed for the sidewalk cafe;
(3)
All existing sidewalk features including, but not limited to, trees,
utility poles, sign poles, fire hydrants, permanent litter receptacles,
and mailboxes;
(4)
The limits of the proposed sidewalk cafe site, the size and location
of all proposed tables and chairs, all exterior lighting, and the
proposed pedestrian walkway;
D.
The seating capacity of the proposed sidewalk cafe;
E.
Three color photographs showing the complete area of the sidewalk
and building facade from three different angles;
F.
A copy of certificates of insurance required to be provided; and
G.
Other information as may be determined by the Borough.
A.
Before any permit is issued pursuant to this chapter, the plans submitted
to the Borough pursuant to this chapter shall be referred to and reviewed
by the Public Works Director, Mayor, and President of Borough Council
to determine if the applicant has complied with all the provisions
of this chapter.
B.
The Borough may impose any other restriction on the location, size
or design of the sidewalk cafe in order to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the public.
C.
The Borough shall grant or deny an application for a permit pursuant
to this chapter within 14 business days of its complete submission.
A.
Upon approval by the Borough of the application and plans submitted
by the applicant and upon the applicant furnishing to the Borough
of Ligonier the following, the Borough shall issue a permit, valid
through the end of the calendar year:
(1)
Applicant agrees in writing to defend, indemnify and hold harmless
the Borough, its officers, employees and agents from and against any
and all loss resulting from injury to, or death to persons or damage
to property arising out of, resulting from, or in any manner caused
by the presence, location, use, operation, installation, maintenance,
replacement or removal of such sidewalk cafe, or by the acts or omissions
of the employees or agents of the permit holder in connection with
such cafe. The permit holder shall also agree to release the Borough
from any and all claims relating to its sidewalk cafe, including,
but not limited to, loss of business and/or value of the sidewalk
cafe when it is ordered removed or when street, sidewalk or utility
construction occurs; and
(2)
The applicant agrees in writing to obtain and maintain in full force and effect, at the permit holder's own expense, an insurance policy naming the Borough of Ligonier as an additional insured with coverage of not less than $1,000,000. The policy shall afford comprehensive general liability insurance including contractual liability insurance covering the permit holder's defense, indemnification, and hold harmless obligations under Subsection A(1) above, and shall provide that the Borough be notified upon the expiration of coverage in the event the policy is canceled or the applicant fails to renew the insurance policy. Within 10 days of the approval of the sidewalk cafe permit application, and each year thereafter, the permit holder shall submit a certificate of insurance in accordance with the agreement and maintain a copy on the premises for review.
B.
Sidewalk cafe permits are not transferable. Changes in ownership/operation
require reapplication for a permit.
C.
A sidewalk cafe permit may be renewed annually, upon review of the
renewal application and complaint history, if any.
A.
A sidewalk cafe shall leave a paved pedestrian walkway with a clear
unobstructed width of 60 inches between the sidewalk cafe and any
obstacle (tree, pole, post, sign, planting area, etc.). No portion
of a sidewalk cafe shall be permitted in the pedestrian walkway. The
pedestrian walkway shall be provided with an unobstructed height of
seven feet between the ground plane and an overhead obstacle (tree
branch, overhead sign, awning, etc.)
B.
All parts of a sidewalk cafe shall be easily removable. Furnishings
of a sidewalk cafe shall consist solely of tables, chairs, and, if
needed, waste receptacles. Furnishings may not be attached, even in
a temporary manner, to the sidewalk or other public property or to
any building or structure.
C.
A sidewalk cafe shall contain no food serving or food service equipment
to hold, store, heat, warm, cool, chill or otherwise keep food to
be served outside of the sponsoring restaurant for use in or by a
sidewalk cafe.
D.
No sidewalk cafe shall be situated:
(1)
In a manner which interferes with any pedestrian crossing.
(2)
In a manner which restricts access to fire hydrants.
(3)
In a manner which interferes with any driveway.
(4)
In a manner which restricts sight easements of vehicular traffic.
(5)
In a manner which obstructs traffic control devices or traffic signs.
E.
All sidewalk cafes shall be open to the air.
F.
Sidewalk cafes shall in no way obstruct the ingress to or the egress
from any building or business.
G.
Sidewalk cafes shall provide and maintain adequate lighting of not
less than 1/2 footcandle (0.5 lm/feet2)
in and around the pedestrian walkway so as to allow sidewalk users
to observe and avoid obstructions.
H.
Sidewalk cafes shall not obstruct access any public service facility
on the sidewalk area or street.
I.
No signs shall be hung or attached to any portion of the sidewalk
cafe.
A.
No sidewalk cafe may be operated except:
(1)
As an accessory to a restaurant lawfully operating on the first floor
of the premises in the C-1, C-2 or VR District;
(2)
On the sidewalk in front of the principal place of business of each
entity and on the sidewalk in front of an adjoining property only
with the joinder of the adjoining property owner and adjoining business
owner in the application for a sidewalk café permit.
[Amended 10-11-2022 by Ord. No. 580; 1-12-2023 by Ord. No. 581]
(3)
By the entity which operates the restaurant.
B.
A sidewalk cafe may operate only during the same hours that the restaurant
is open for service. All patrons must be vacated from the sidewalk
cafe and all tables, chairs, and any other materials used in the operation
of the sidewalk cafe or within the area used by the sidewalk cafe
shall be removed from the sidewalk cafe area each day within 1/2 hour
after the restaurant closes.
C.
All food must be prepared within the existing restaurant upon which
the cafe permit has been granted.
D.
No food or beverages may be served to a patron at a sidewalk cafe
unless that patron is seated at a table.
F.
No music may be played from whatever source (acoustical, electric,
or other) on the sidewalk cafe.
G.
The applicant shall be responsible for obtaining, maintaining in
full force and effect, and complying with the terms and conditions
of any state or county health permit which may be required under any
other law or regulation for the serving of food or beverages at a
sidewalk cafe.
H.
The applicant shall maintain a sufficient number of receptacles for
the disposal of waste. Such receptacles, if any, shall be emptied
as often as is necessary.
I.
Sidewalk cafes, the public property on which they are located and
the surrounding area shall at all times be kept free and clear of
litter, debris and any substance that may damage the sidewalk or cause
pedestrian injury. As an express condition of the acceptance of a
permit hereunder, the recipient agrees to police for trash and debris
an area extending at least 15 feet in each direction from the outermost
portion or boundary of the sidewalk cafe.
J.
The holder of a sidewalk cafe permit is responsible for keeping all
visitors, patrons, employees, and cafe fixtures, including tables
and chairs, from occupying or encroaching into the required clear
sidewalk space.
K.
All sidewalk cafes and attendant facilities may be inspected at any
time by the Public Works Director, his designee, or the Police Department.
L.
Acceptance of a sidewalk cafe permit is an express acknowledgment
and consent to the terms and regulations set by this chapter. The
grant and usage of such permit is a privilege, not a right, subject
to reasonable regulations as set out herein or as may be promulgated
by the Borough.
Upon finding by either the Public Works Director or Borough
Police Department that an applicant has violated any provisions of
this chapter, the Public Works Director or Police Department shall
give written notice to the applicant to correct said operational violation.
Upon failure to correct said operational violation within the time
frame specified, the Public Works Director or Borough Police Department
may take appropriate action, as necessary, to maintain the pedestrian
walkway. The Borough, Public Works Director, or Borough Police Department
may suspend the applicant's permit issued pursuant to this chapter,
as well as pursue prosecution in accordance with the requirements
herein. The Public Works Director or Borough Police Department may
give a violator reasonable time to correct any violation of any provision
of this chapter. An appeal before Borough Council shall be accorded
if requested.
A.
Whoever violates any provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction
thereof in a summary proceeding, be fined not less than $300 and not
more than $1,000 for each offense, to be collected as other fines
and costs are by law collectible. Each day during which a violation
occurs shall constitute a separate offense.
B.
Any person who is convicted of a violation of any of the provisions
of this chapter shall have his or her permit suspended for one full
year and shall not be eligible for another permit until the expiration
of one full year.
C.
Failure to observe any of the conditions set out herein is grounds
for revocation of a permit. Prior to such revocation, the Borough
shall give 10 days' written notice to the permit holder of his violation
of or his failure to observe a general condition as set out above.
If the permit holder requests a hearing prior to the expiration of
that ten-day notice period, the Borough shall hold a hearing to determine
if the permit should be revoked. The permit holder may present evidence
in his own behalf if he so desires. If a hearing is not requested,
the revocation shall become effective upon the expiration of the ten-day
notice period. If a permit granted under this section is revoked,
all tables, chairs and other appurtenances used as a part of the sidewalk
cafe shall be immediately removed from the sidewalk.
D.
This chapter and the foregoing penalties shall not be construed to
limit or deny the right of the Borough or any person to such equitable
or other remedies as may otherwise be available with or without process
of law.
A.
If the Borough incurs any costs in removing any tables, chairs, or
other materials from a sidewalk cafe for any reason the Borough may
bill the property owner for the actual costs incurred by the Borough
plus any additional administrative fees. The tables, chairs, and other
materials removed shall remain in the Borough's possession until the
bill for removal and any fines or fees are paid in full.
B.
Any bill for such removal of tables, chairs, and other materials
undertaken pursuant to this section shall be billed to and paid by
the property owner within 60 days. Upon failure of the property owner
to pay the amounts due within 60 days, the Borough shall assess this
uncollected debt on the property taxes of the building.
A.
Neither the adoption of this chapter nor the granting of any permit
pursuant hereto shall be construed as a waiver of any right, privilege
or immunity of the Borough of Ligonier with respect to streets and
sidewalks, whether express or implied.
B.
Ligonier Borough reserves the right to suspend sidewalk cafe permits
during Fort Ligonier Days,[1] and at other times for community events as determined
by the Borough Council at its sole discretion. No sidewalk cafe may
operate during these periods as determined by the Borough.
C.
Ligonier Borough reserves the right to revoke or suspend sidewalk
cafe permits for cause and to amend sidewalk cafe permit requirements
and regulations as may be necessary for compliance with any change
in local, state, or federal laws.
D.
A permit granted pursuant to this chapter does not create any vested
property right in the sidewalk area to which the permit applies.