Seek Input On Sidewalk Dining Plan

A proposed East Hampton Town law that would allow downtown Montauk restaurants to have legal  sidewalk dining will be the subject of a hearing tonight at 6:30 at Town Hall.

Considered a pilot program, the law would require restaurants to obtain a license through the town fire marshal’s office. Applications would require a description and sketch of the outdoor dining area, insurance naming the town as a covered party along with an indemnification agreement, and a fee of $30 for each seat to be placed outside.

Restaurants would not be allowed to increase their maximum seating as set by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services but could shift up to 20 percent of the total seats, but no more than 16, to the outdoors. Permits would run from May 1 until the third Monday in October.

Permits would be issued only for dining locations that would not interfere with keeping a sidewalk at least six feet wide clear, and tables and chairs would have to be removed before midnight and set out again no earlier than 7 a.m. Umbrellas and lighting would be prohibited. Any alcohol would have to be served within an area delineated with partitions, as approved by the fire marshal.

The legal outdoor dining program was developed by a citizens business committee and presented to the town board on a limited trial basis. The committee has also talked about outdoor seating at businesses other than restaurants, such as takeout food shops, and it is expected to take up that issue and make additional recommendations.