CC MEETING: April 7, 2015
DATE: March 23, 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, 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 Carrollton. Current requirements do not provide for this allowance. This ordinance was tabled at the March 17, 2015 City Council meeting pending a request for the variance to be available citywide. The attached ordinance reflects this change.
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.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
As Carrollton works to attract different kinds of restaurants, allowing dogs on patios may make the city more competitive. This may 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 f...
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