13 responses so far ↓

• 1 Julie // Aug 23, 2010 at 11:07 am

  Are there any regulations that govern how much of the sidewalk an establishment can take over? I wonder because the Couth Buzzard has monopolized 2/3 of the sidewalk.

• 2 SPG // Aug 23, 2010 at 12:19 pm

  Cool. Anything that brings more vibrancy to the sidewalks and outdoor spaces is ok with me.

• 3 Allie // Aug 23, 2010 at 3:58 pm

  You can find out more about the sidewalk cafe permits at
  http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_sidewalkcafe.htm

  If you have a question you can call the permit counter at 206-684-5283

• 4 Iron City Mike // Aug 24, 2010 at 8:18 am

  please no one protest this…

• 5 SPG // Aug 24, 2010 at 12:58 pm

  …but I’m building my special ten foot wide adult stroller that I might push down that sidewalk once a year and the enjoyment of others on the sidewalk might interfere with my plan!

• 6 Jose // Aug 24, 2010 at 5:47 pm

  @SPG: HAHAHAHA Can I and my 95-pound sheepdog please ride in your special adult stroller?

• 7 Tiktok // Aug 25, 2010 at 12:02 am

  A minimum of 6 feet of clear path of travel is required on all sidewalks located within the Downtown Urban Center. A minimum of 5 feet of clear path of travel is required on all other sidewalks. The clear path of travel is measured from the outside edge of the sidewalk café fencing or fence post base to the nearest obstruction (i.e., tree pit, parking meter, bike rack, planting strip, etc.). If no obstruction exists, the clear path of travel is measured to the back of the curb. Sidewalk cafés may not encroach into tree pits. A-frame, portable signs or any other encroachment is not allowed in the pedestrian clear path of travel.

• 8 Amy // Aug 25, 2010 at 6:27 am

  Hmmm, maybe somebody at Couth Buzzard should read that definition.

• 9 Tiktok // Aug 25, 2010 at 6:42 am

  How do I report an issue with noise or a café that is encroaching too far into the sidewalk? The City has a noise abatement team. More information and contacts can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Enforcement/Noise_Abatement/Overview/
  Noise related issues should be directed to the Seattle Police Department’s non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011.
  Problems with encroaching into the sidewalk will be handled by SDOT – they can be reached at 206-684-5283 from 8AM to 5PM during the work week. SDOT has the right to require immediate changes if a sidewalk café has encroached beyond its permitted area, and may revoke an approved sidewalk café permit if there is an ongoing problem.

• 10 anon // Aug 25, 2010 at 3:55 pm

  This isn’t Manhattan, as long as a person walking or in a wheelchair can fit down the sidewalk, that’s good enough for me. Enough with the hate for the buzzard.

• 11 Chad & Brian of In The Red // Aug 25, 2010 at 5:50 pm

  Hello,
  We’re putting in our sidewalk cafe’ so it won’t encroach into the sidewalk at all, as we didn’t want to block walkers in front of our place. Thanks everyone for commenting, and we’re looking forward to seeing you here at In The Red Wine Bar and Cafe’.

• 12 david // Aug 26, 2010 at 9:14 am

  @anon: What’s “good enough for you” is irrelevant. The issue is whether a business complies with the requirements of their Seattle sidewalk cafe permit. Believe it or not, there are actually cases where several people walk down Greenwood sidewalks together! Why should they be funneled into single file by a barrier that takes up 2/3 of the sidewalk and more often than not has no one sitting inside it? Nobody cares what’s “good enough for you.” Go back to Manhattan.

• 13 Harry Tracy // Aug 26, 2010 at 9:50 pm

  It’s unfortunate that we live in a city with slim sidewalks. We want to have outdoor dining, but we don’t want to interfere with the rights of others who use the sidewalk for its intended purpose – walking. What can we do to please the walkers, the diners, and the business owners?

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