Chelan considers barrier-free outdoor alcohol service

CHELAN — Downtown Chelan restaurants and wineries could soon test a less restrictive way to serve alcohol outdoors under a proposed six-month pilot program that would replace mandatory railings with small markers embedded in the sidewalk.

Chelan City Council on July 14 gave staff informal direction to continue developing the program and bring a resolution back for consideration July 28. No formal action was taken.

Community Development Director John Ajax said the proposal responds to interest from the Historic Downtown Chelan Association and local business owners seeking more flexibility in sidewalk seating areas.

Under the city's current code, a downtown business serving alcohol outdoors must enclose its service area with a 42-inch barrier. The proposed alternative, already allowed under state law, would replace the railing with small markers placed every 10 feet along the outer limits of the approved area.

Ajax described example markers as roughly six inches wide with a slight dome, each stating that alcohol may not be carried beyond that point. Outdoor service would still be limited to an area extending no more than five feet from the building and directly in front of the participating business.

The proposal is intended in part to reduce sidewalk congestion created by railings, outdoor furniture, tree wells and sandwich boards during Chelan's busiest months.

Mayor Erin McCardle pointed to Norwood Wine Bar in downtown Wenatchee as a nearby example of the system. The tasting room uses sidewalk markers rather than railings to define where customers may consume alcohol outdoors.

City staff also contacted the Wenatchee Police Department, which reported no known problems with similar barrier-free service areas.

Councilmember Jon Higgins expressed skepticism, questioning whether patrons or businesses might gradually expand beyond their approved boundaries and who would be responsible for enforcement.

"If you give them an inch, they may take a foot," Higgins said. "Pretty soon, you're going to have people clear out on the sidewalks because they're going to say, 'Oh, I didn't see the barrier.'"

Ajax said participating businesses would be expected to police their own service areas and could lose their sidewalk business licenses for failing to comply. Each applicant would also be required to submit a site plan showing the exact limits of the seating and service area.

Higgins also questioned whether tables and chairs left outside without a railing could be more easily moved, stolen or thrown, arguing that the existing barriers provide an added measure of safety.

Council members nevertheless generally agreed the idea was worth testing.

Councilmember Tim Hollingsworth said removing the barriers could make more sidewalk space available when outdoor seating areas are not being used while also giving businesses greater flexibility in arranging tables.

"I think it's worth trying out," Hollingsworth said.

Only one business had expressed immediate interest in participating, Ajax said, though council members discussed whether the pilot should include a cap on the number of businesses allowed to join. Staff plans to consult with the Historic Downtown Chelan Association before returning with a final proposal.

If approved later this month, the pilot could begin quickly enough to include the end of the summer season. The city would likely purchase the sidewalk markers itself to ensure they are standardized.

After six months, staff would gather feedback from businesses and the public before recommending whether Chelan should permanently amend its downtown regulations.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media