The Janesville City Council is looking at making it easier for bars and restaurants to offer outdoor seating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They will vote Monday night on a proposed ordinance change to simplify the process for licenses establishments to expand their seating with city approval.
The resolution would make it so any bar or restaurant could request an expansion to the premises recognized by their license to include the sidewalk and parking lot, without having to go to the Alcohol License Advisory Committee or city council.
Instead, the city’s chief building official would review all requests through October 31 to accelerate the process from its normal six-week time frame.
The ordinance change is intended to be temporary due to the pandemic, to help offset the loss of indoor seating because of physical distancing.
It would only apply to Class B intoxicating liquor alcohol licensed premises.
