Outdoor seating permits in Greece rankle state officials

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Restaurants in New York aren’t scheduled to reopen until the third phase of the state’s reopening plan

But the town of Greece is letting restaurants apply for permits to seat customers outside.

The move is controversial and raising questions about whether it’s legal.

Town Supervisor Bill Reilich said the policy is based on common sense.

“If you can sit in a park six feet from the next person over and you can eat some food, why can’t we do that in a controlled atmosphere with a restaurant?”

The town says permit fees are not being collected.Businesses will be required to request a walk-through inspection or submit a floor plan. They will also need to show they have adequate distancing between tables, use of fencing or other tools to show the area being used, and clear access to a sidewalk or parking lot.

The town says permits will be issued within one to two days by the fire marshal’s office after restaurants submit necessary documentation.

“Outdoor dining, we feel, can be done safer now following the state guidelines and that’s what we are implementing,” Reilich said.

The news came as a pleasant surprise to Joe Ferrari, owner of TC Hooligan’s Bar and Grill on West Ridge Road.

“I’m excited for my patrons. I’m excited to get my workers back to work and I think it’s going to be a great thing,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Rochester, some restaurant owners are seeking legal ways to reopen. The CEO of Blu Wolf Bistro says he and other restaurateurs are trying to reopen earlier by proposing to keep Park Avenue closed at all times to make room for outdoor seating.

“I think it would be good to have all the businesses – not just the restaurants – but the ability to sell their goods outside, have their outdoor dining, and I think it would be good for business,” said Jason Snyder, Blu Wolf’s CEO.

A spokesperson for the City of Rochester wouldn’t comment specifically on the Park Avenue idea, but said any proposal would have to be equitable for all neighborhoods.

And, it’s unclear how far Greece will get in issuing permits. Empire State Development says the town can’t do it just yet and that the state has contacted Greece leaders about the town’s plans.

— 13 WHAM

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