File #: 1907    Version: 1 Name: Dogs on Restaurant Patios
Type: Ordinance Status: Consent Agenda
File created: 3/12/2015 In control: City Council
On agenda: 3/17/2015 Final action:
Title: Consider An Ordinance Amending Title XI, Chapter 116, "Restaurants And Food Establishments", To Allow Dogs On Food Establishment Patios In The (TC) Transit Center District, And Title III, Chapter 31, "Comprehensive Fee Ordinance", Of The Carrollton Code Of Ordinances.
Attachments: 1. Ordinance
CC MEETING: March 17, 2015

DATE: March 11, 2015

TO: Leonard Martin, City Manager

FROM: Scott Hudson, Environmental Services Director

Title
Consider An Ordinance Amending Title XI, Chapter 116, "Restaurants And Food Establishments", To Allow Dogs On Food Establishment Patios In The (TC) Transit Center District, And Title III, Chapter 31, "Comprehensive Fee Ordinance", Of The Carrollton Code Of Ordinances.

Body
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this item is to propose a code amendment providing a variance path to allow dogs on restaurant patios in the (TC) Transit Center Districts. Current requirements do not provide for this allowance.

The proposed variance is similar to successful efforts in Plano, Dallas and Fairview. Key provisions of the proposed ordinance include:
* Requirement to apply for a variance for a given food establishment to have dogs on an associated patio;
* Establishing standards for maintaining premises in a clean condition, reporting violations and posting rules regarding dogs;
* Setting an application fee of $150.00.

Enforcement of these provisions would generally fall to current sanitarian staffing. In the case of safety issues, such as dog aggression, enforcement may involve Animal Services.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
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IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
As Carrollton works to attract different kinds of restaurants, allowing dogs on patios should make the city more competitive. This will probably become a more common practice in the area and demand for this allowance is likely to increase, especially in higher density, pedestrian-oriented TOD areas. The proposed amendments provide for public health and safety, a basic component of a sustainable community.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends adoption of the proposed ordinance amending Title XI, Chapter 116, "Restaurants and Food Establishments" to provide for a variance for...

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