HUDSON, OH (May 6, 2020) – During the May 5 Council meeting, Council discussed staff recommendations for potentially relaxing some Land Development Code requirements to help businesses as they reopen during the COVID-19 crisis.
Based on the discussion, City staff will reach out to merchants to determine if these types of temporary changes would help businesses and will begin drafting necessary legislation for any LDC moratorium items. Council will continue the discussion next week. The following possible moratorium items were discussed.
Land Development Code: Moratoriums on the following until Dec 31, 2020
- Temporary Signs: Moratorium on temporary sign enforcement in commercial districts.
- Outdoor Sales: Moratorium on the enforcement of regulations related to outdoor sales/displays to accommodate social distancing and to offset reduced interior occupancy of businesses.
- Expiration of permits and board approvals: Moratorium on expiration of board approvals and zoning certificates so construction projects delayed due to the stay at home order would not be required to go back through approval processes.
City Services/Programs:
- Communications: Provide coordinated public information to be displayed at all businesses open to the public. Information to include coordinated shop local logos with state established protocols on social distancing, use of masks, and related items.
- Outdoor Seating: Provide outdoor picnic tables in the downtown greens and cafe seating along the public sidewalks for carry out service from restaurants, while maintaining a safe and ADA accessible path at all time. Note: Merchants have also expressed interest in accommodating alcohol consumption in compliance with state and local regulations. Additional study will be needed to determine if such would be feasible.
- Parking: Installation of curbside service reserved parking stall signage adjacent to restaurants and businesses in need of such dedicated turnover spaces.
- Promotion: Ongoing promotion to support shop local efforts through social media, website, and promotional videos.
- Connecting Resources: City staff will continue to connect business to available State and Federal resources.
- Activate Downtown: The virus restrictions will not allow for large scale festivals in the community. Additional activation of downtown can occur with smaller scale, more frequent enhancements:
- Downtown public art.
- Light up the clock tower, streetscape.
- Micro events: chalk art, sidewalk signage, small scale live music, pop up displays.
- Downtown banners on light poles.