The City of Asheville is making updates to its outdoor dining program as applied to use of public space (streets and sidewalks). Goals of the program updates include: 

  • Support a welcoming, safe and active environment

  • Improve the application, review and enforcement process (which will benefit staff, applicants and the public)

  • Prioritize mobility and access for all including those with physical disabilities 

  • Transition elements of the temporary “AVL Shares Space” initiatives launched during COVID into long-term programs (i.e. parklets)

  • Support the success and resilience of Asheville’s local economy 

  • More appropriately account for the value of commercializing public space through an updated fee structure

  • Promote multiple public benefits whenever possible 

 

Happening Now

The City has an interdepartmental team working on updates to the City’s Outdoor Dining Program (on public streets and sidewalks) based on lessons learned during the temporary AVL Shares Space initiatives launched during COVID-19 as well as established and emerging best practices. 

Public engagement to get feedback on the proposed policy, standards and fee changes will take place between March 2023 and August 2023. 

Proposed changes include:

  1. An updated outdoor dining ordinance that includes “streeteries” (use of public on-street parking spaces on city-managed streets)
  2.  New fee structure that supports:
    1. Better alignment with the market value of commercial space
    2. Maximizing multiple public benefits when possible (i.e. charging per square foot and encouraging the space to be public after-hours)
    3. Improved operational management of the program
  3. An outdoor dining guide that features standards and best practices along with clear guidance on the application and review process

 

Recent Engagement

Upcoming Review

  • 10/10/23 – City Council Policy, Finance & HR Committee (more info)
  • 10/24/23 – City Council Consideration

Please contact us to schedule a one-on-one meeting or focus group session. 

 

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic made the City and Community think differently about how public spaces – like streets, sidewalks and parking spaces – can be utilized to support the health, safety and welfare of the public in addition to fostering economic activity.

Through collaboration, communication and flexibility across sectors of government, business and community, the temporary AVL Shares Space initiatives launched in the spring and summer of 2020 enabled the testing of ideas. 

Public feedback on the temporary programs indicated support for continuing many aspects longer term. One of those components is enabling outdoor dining to take place in public on-street parking spaces. Staff is moving forward on the development of a long-term “Streetery” program to accommodate this use. 

 

Program Update Timeline

  • Spring 2020: Temporary AVL Shares Space initiatives launched
  • December 2021: Most temporary initiatives transition to existing long-term programs; temporary parklets may remain. 
  • January 2022: Outdoor dining permits required for sidewalks through pre-existing process; temporary parklets may remain but no new applications accepted.
  • October 2022: Team launches long-term program development process, including a long-term “streetery” program
  • February – August 2023: public engagement and stakeholder feedback on proposed updates to policies and standards
  • September 11, 2023: City Council Planning & Economic Development Committee review
  • October 10, 2023: City Council Policy, Finance and HR Committee Review
  • October 24, 2023: City Council consideration/adoption
  • November 1, 2023 – Application period opens for 2024 permitting
  • November – January 2023: Information sessions, guidance on compliance, etc.  
  • January 2024: New policies, standards and fees apply to calendar year 2024 annual permit period 

 

More Information and Background

 

AVL Shares Space Temporary Initiatives

 

Contact

Dana Frankel

Downtown Planning Manager

dfrankel@ashevillenc.gov 

 

 

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