Resolution approves outdoor dining and grooming to serve residents and assist businesses recover during COVID-19 pandemic

The Southfield City Council passed a resolution to allow restaurants to expand outdoor dining areas and barbers, hairstylists, and nail technicians to provide personal services (hair grooming, manicures, pedicures, etc.) outside an established business due to the hardships imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  All business operations and opening dates would remain subject to the Governor’s Executive Orders.

In an effort to assist businesses and streamline the application process, the Southfield Planning and Building Departments are reducing fees and expediting approvals.  A submittal checklist and complete ordinance guidelines to assist applicants are available on the City’s website at https://www.cityofsouthfield.com/departments/planning-department/applications-and-information.

“The city of Southfield continually strives to assist local and international businesses by cutting red tape and rolling out the red carpet,” commented City Planner Terry Croad. “During this difficult time, we are making every effort to support both our businesses and residents while doing so as safely and quickly as possible. This resolution provides residents with much needed services while also helping businesses to get back in operation as soon as feasible. ”  

Applicants are subject to specific conditions to maintain required social distancing and serve the public interest of protecting health, safety and welfare of the public. Due to critical time constraints, the resolution supersedes the normal temporary approval process typically first reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals. All businesses applying must be operational in conjunction with an interior business of the same function on the same property. Applicants must also comply with all existing State and County Department of Health regulations and the Michigan Building Code. Provisions allow for a 25‐50 percent increase in table capacity (for restaurants) or chair/station capacity (for personal services) to be located outside of the establishment on designated hard surfaced or parking areas. Businesses must possess a valid Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Department at the time of application.

Unless otherwise specified by the State of Michigan, all tables, chairs and grooming stations must be placed so that patrons are at minimum six feet away from other patrons at all times.  Additionally, all businesses must comply with the provisions of State of Michigan Executive Order 20‐59 and all subsequent amendments, including, but not limited to, authorization to resume business operations, social distancing, party size, and occupancy requirements as set forth therein.

Additional COVID-19 public safety requirements include:

• All tables, chairs, and stations must be sanitized/disinfected between customer use;
• Face coverings/masks are to be worn by patrons where feasible and employees within outdoor dining;
• Hand sanitation stations are encouraged and should be made available by the business operators in or near outdoor dining spaces and personal service stations as feasible; and
• No outdoor seating may occupy any portion of any City sidewalk or right‐of‐way.

Hours of operation must be consistent with current hours of operation with the existing business unless further restricted by State Executive orders.  Temporary approvals would be permitted April‐October within a calendar year and applicants would need to re‐apply annually.

For more information, call the Southfield Planning Department at (248) 796-4150 or visit www.cityofsouthfield.com.