Cranbury Township Committee members are establishing a temporary licensing process for restaurants to engage in outdoor dining during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Matt Scott, Deputy Mayor Mike Ferrante, Committeewoman Evelyn Spann, Committeeman James Taylor and Committeewoman Barbara Rogers voted “yes” to an ordinance for the measure at a committee meeting on June 8.
Through the ordinance there will be an expedited process for restaurants seeking to provide outdoor dining.
Originally to go along with the application if a restaurant wanted to receive an outdoor dining license or renewal license the applicant had to have the appropriate land use board (planning board or zoning board) resolution of approval of the site plan for outdoor dining; and a signed certificate that conditions of the site plan approval continue to be met.
Under the temporary process applicants would no longer need to provide those documents. An insurance certificate and proof that the restaurant holds a valid occupational license for a business establishment is still to be submitted to the township clerk along with the application.
The decision by the committee comes off the heels of Gov. Phil Murphy issuing an executive order on June 3 allowing for outdoor dining at food or beverage establishments in the state starting June 15.
According to the order, establishments will be required to follow a number of COVID-19 health and safety protocols issued by the New Jersey Department of Health. Those protocols include a limit of eight customers per table, and requirements of at least six-feet of distance between parties.
Since indoor dining is still not permitted under the new order, food or beverage establishments are required to prohibit smoking in any outdoor areas designated for the consumption of food and/or beverages.
Municipalities are also permitted to use their existing authority to allow food or beverage establishments to expand their footprint to outdoor areas, both within their property and among municipally-governed areas, including but not limited to sidewalks, streets, or parks, according to the order.
For more information about application, visit www.cranburytownship.org
