Council extends tents, events

City tries to give businesses a boost during pandemic

Mentor officials are bending the rules a bit to boost some businesses affected by the pandemic.

City Council recently approved extending a temporary suspension of code limits related to retail activities and temporary events conducted from tents and other temporary structures.

The ordinance amendment authorizes Planning Director Kathy Mitchell to allow these temporary spaces and events beyond the normal time restrictions. Council extended such uses through October 2021.

“Without this flexibility instituted under the emergency ordinance, these temporary uses would be subject to the temporary time frame of one week (and) not more than two times per year,” Mitchell said.

She noted that outdoor dining areas usually require a conditional-use permit review by the

“We’re working with a couple of other restaurants...that are in the process of putting up tents and similar structures, so we need to get them into that review process as well,” —Sean Blake, Ward 1 councilman

Planning Commission prior to installation.

“Because the outdoor dining spaces going up since the start of the pandemic are temporary and not permanent spaces, we are taking applicants through the temporary event process that only requires an administrative review, to avoid delays in obtaining an approval,” she said.

“These outdoor dining spaces often have tents or similar enclosures.”

The tents themselves require a permit in compliance with building and fire standards, such as for the use of outdoor heaters during the cold weather months.

“The administrative review still takes an application through a review process with city departments to ensure the temporary areas or temporary events are safe, have proper circulation and will not negatively impact adjoining properties or uses,” Mitchell said.

Ward 1 Councilman Sean Blake asked how many restaurants have put up tents since the pandemic began. Mitchell said the mall area has had the highest incidence.

“We’re working with a couple of other restaurants, not in that immediate area, that are in the process of putting up tents and similar structures, so we need to get them into that review process as well,” he said. “I think more temporary events have occurred.”

Blake noted some “very nice heaters” at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse near the mall.

The eatery also has limited indoor seating available, according to the website.

“(It) looks like they are going to make a go of it over the winter,” he said.

City Manager Ken Filipiak said that was the case with some other establishments as well.

“A lot of businesses have been able to survive because they’ve been able to seat people outside,” he said.

“We’ll see how many people attempt it in the colder winter months.”

BETSY SCOTT—THE NEWS-HERALD BJ’s Brewhouse in Mentor is among area restaurants that added a temporary outdoor dining space this year because of the pandemic.