[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Newton 2-11-2008 by Ord. No.
2008-3. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a procedure and
authorize rules and regulations for sidewalk cafes in conjunction
with restaurants which adjoin sidewalks within the C-2 Zone.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
- SIDEWALK CAFE
- An outdoor food service area operated adjacent to and in conjunction with a restaurant on a public sidewalk and/or public right-of-way.
The use of dining tables by restaurant establishments is prohibited,
except if tables are confined to allow at least four feet of pedestrian
passageway or ADA standards, whichever is greater, between the table
area and the curb. Tables must be clothed appropriately to complement
the storefront motif. Any table umbrellas must conform to a height
of seven feet, diameter not to exceed four feet, and shall bear no
advertising other than the name of the establishment.
Consumption of alcohol in open containers by patrons at a sidewalk
cafe duly licensed for alcoholic beverages shall not be considered
in violation of local ordinances prohibiting the consumption of such
beverages in containers. Outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages
is permitted only if the sidewalk area upon which a cafe has been
authorized to operate pursuant to this chapter constitutes a duly
licensed premises for the consumption of alcoholic beverages; provided,
however, that the related restaurant of which the cafe is a part is
an extension of said license, and provided further that specific approval
has been obtained from the Town of Newton Police Department and/or
the New Jersey Board of Alcoholic Beverages Control, as appropriate,
for the extension of the alcoholic beverage consumption license to
the sidewalk area. Such approval shall be separate from, and must
be obtained in addition to, the zoning permit in order to operate
a sidewalk cafe pursuant to this chapter. Retail food establishments
which do not have a license to sell or serve alcoholic beverages within
their premises shall not be permitted to allow patrons to carry onto
or consume alcoholic beverages on any sidewalk area permitted as a
sidewalk cafe.
No person or entity shall operate a sidewalk cafe without a
valid sidewalk cafe license. This license shall be in addition to
any other license required by this chapter, including a food-handlers
permit as issued by the Municipal Clerk's office.
A sidewalk cafe license shall be granted only to the operator of a restaurant which is in conformance with Chapter 320, Zoning, and which holds a valid food-handlers permit for a food service establishment, as provided in Chapter 133, Health Regulations, Article VI, Food-Handlers' Permits. An application for a sidewalk cafe license shall be on a form as provided by the Municipal Clerk and shall require at least the following:
A.
The name and mailing address of the applicant.
B.
A detailed drawing, to scale, of the proposed site, indicating the
following: the existing facade, the points of ingress and egress,
the proposed location of the tables, chairs, serving equipment, awnings,
umbrellas, and other facilities to be included in the seating area.
The drawing must also include the location of existing public improvements,
including fire hydrants, street signs, streetlights, traffic signals,
bus shelters, mailboxes, trees and tree grates, parking meters, planting
boxes or planting areas, fire escapes or other overhead obstructions
and any other public obstruction.
C.
A copy of a valid food-handlers permit.
A.
No sidewalk cafe license shall be issued unless the licensee shall
have first filed with the Town Clerk a certificate of insurance, issued
by a company duly authorized to transact business under the laws of
this state, providing for the payment of not less than $1,000,000
to satisfy all claims for damage by reason of bodily injuries to or
the death of any person as a direct or indirect result of the operation
of the sidewalk cafe or injury to any person occurring on the premises
occupied by such sidewalk cafe, and further providing for the payment
of not less than $1,000,000 to satisfy all claims for property damage
occurring as a direct or indirect result of the operation of such
cafe.
B.
The insurance policy shall provide that the insurance company shall
notify the Town of Newton 10 days prior to cancellation or substantial
change in coverage. It shall also name the Town of Newton as additional
insured on a primary and noncontributory basis, including waiver of
subrogation.
C.
The licensee must also file with the Town Clerk a signed copy of
the Town of Newton hold harmless agreement.
All sidewalk cafe licenses shall be issued for a seven-month
period commencing April 1 and ending October 31 of a particular year.
Licenses may be renewed annually by the filing of an application in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter, received by the Municipal
Clerk no later than March 1.
