Bluffton council is working the Jonah Agner, owner of Greenhorn Restaurant, as Agner has requested to serve patrons on the sidewalk in front of his business on Vine Street.

Agner’s request is to serve patrons dinners and alcohol. Council discussed the request on April 12. Council’s streets and sidewalk committee brought the request to council following a March 24 committee meeting.

The committee is requesting that pedestrians have a four-foot walk-through clearance on the sidewalk. There would also be tables positioned and a barrier in place.

Council’s discussion included how to handle parking along Vine Street. The committee has requested the village solicitor to prepare sidewalk café legislation and a seasonal permit form.

It was noted in the discussion that several communities have legislation allowing sidewalk cafes, as covid-19 has impacted indoor dining.

Among these communities are Sylvania, Oberlin and Waterville. One of the key resources the Bluffton council is referencing in this project is the City of Findlay’s sidewalk café legislation.