The much-publicized proposal to increase fees paid by restaurant owners for use of city sidewalks in Plymouth came to a quiet resolution last week.
Members of the Plymouth City Commission rejected the rate increase proposal with Mayor Nick Moroz casting the only vote in favor of a much smaller increase than originally proposed.
During a commission meeting in Caster Park Aug. 7, the commissioners rejected the plan to increase the per square foot rental fee from $1.50 to $15, a 900 percent increase, which had been suggested. Moroz suggested a 33 percent increase to $2 per square foot which was defeated. Moroz reminded the commissioners that there had been no change or increase in the rental rate for more than a decade, despite the increase in operating costs to the city for maintaining the areas. Mayor Pro Tem Suzi Deal noted that the current rate and use of the city property might not be fair to taxpayers who fund repairs and maintenance. “It's all of our taxes paying for this property,” Deal said.
Moroz was also in favor of requiring 6 feet between the building and the patio service, noting that the national standards of urban planning suggested 8 to 10 feet. That proposal was also defeated by commissioners. Some said they voted against the mayor's proposal because they favored a larger rent increase, perhaps to $2.50 per square foot.
Restaurant owners remained adamant that the clearance should not be increased and that the patios had been operated at the current rate for more than 20 years. One owner reminded the commissioners of the value the restaurants add to the community and the numerous sponsorships they provide. He said that both the public and the owners benefit from the patios as they add jobs, add value and give back through numerous sponsorships and service club donations to support the community.
Commissioner Alanna Maguire was not in favor of a proposed consistent set back requirement noting that the city streets differ greatly. She suggested the setback be determined on a street-by-street basis. Maguire commented that she and the commission members had been subjected to “vile, vitriolic and disgusting” comments regarding the proposed increase. She reminded the assembled crowd which included some of the restaurant owners who publicly criticized the proposal in the media that the officials dedicate their time to the city in an attempt to improve the community.“None of us does this job for the power, the prestige, certainly not the income,” she said. “We all do this job because we love the City of Plymouth,” she said.
No date for any further action on the issue was discussed at the meeting.
