Beverly Fast Tracks Outdoor Dining For Restaurants

BEVERLY, MA —Beverly restaurants could begin offering outdoor dining as early as Monday after city council unanimously approved temporary changes to city rules.

The changes will allow restaurants to serve alcohol on sidewalks, parking spaces and other public spaces. The changes also allow restaurants to display sidewalk signs without a permit. Councilors Paul Guanci and Todd Rotondo, who own downtown restaurants, abstained from the 7-0 vote.

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The city has been surveying Beverly businesses about their needs as the economy is reopened. About 30 restaurants have expressed an interest in offering outdoor seating in those surveys. About half of those restaurants already have space, while the others would need to work with the city to use sidewalks, parking lots or park space.

Massachusetts restaurants have not been allowed to offer sit down service since Gov. Charlie Baker's emergency coronavirus order on March 16. The state is expected to begin allowing restaurants to reopen for outdoor service in the second phase of the four-phase reopening plan, which could start Monday.

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Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).