Politics & Government
Westwood Council Eases Outdoor Dining Rules
Restaurants will be allowed to put out more outdoor tables and chairs during dinner through October.
Westwood restaurants can cater to a larger number of outdoor diners for the rest of the summer.
The Westwood Council approved "a temporary relaxation" of the borough outdoor dining ordinance during their meeting last week at the suggestion of Mayor John Birkner.
"The goal is to attract as many people to Westwood and allow our businesses to flourish," Birkner said.
The relaxation will allow diners at BYO restaurants to drink wine or beer with their meals outside, though restaurants with liquor licenses will still require state approval.
It will also allow restaurants to put out more tables and put more seats at each table from 5 to 11 p.m. The ordinance limited restaurants to one table and two chairs for every five feet of building front.
Birkner said he expected the change would be "a benefit for the restaurants in the community."
The relaxation only lasts through October 31. After that, officials will have the option of making the change permanent via ordinance.
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