What it Means: This Amendment codifies permanent outdoor dining and temporary outdoor dining in the Zoning Ordinance under the existing “restaurant” use (Section 3.25b Restaurants). There is no change for Permanent Outdoor Dining. The use would continue to require Site Plan Review (public hearing), but this would be clearly codified in the Zoning Ordinance as well.
For Temporary Outdoor Dining, Planning Board review (not a public hearing) would be required under a new application process. This is a change from the current temporary transitional outdoor dining process, which only involves staff review. Under this Amendment, these reviews also include Planning Board oversight.
The changes incorporated in Article 8 are highlighted at this link.