COVID-19 Category

Category: COVID-19

Compliant vs. NonCompliant Outdoor Dining

Newtown Township recently passed Resolution 2020-R-13 to allow Outdoor Sales and Dining during COVID-19 state-mandated restrictions (read "Newtown Supervisors Approve #COVID19 Outdoor Sales & Dining Resolution").

While driving through town, I noticed two different restaurants with outdoor dining spaces located in parking spaces in front of their establishments. One - Playa Bowls, located in the Village of Newtown Shopping Center - was compliant with the resolution (see photo at left), and one - which I won't name - was not compliant with the resolution.

When passing this resolution unanimously, Newtown Supervisors were mainly concerned that such outdoor seating be safe. The barriers that Playa Bowls uses ensure the safety of their patrons, whereas the non-compliant business merely uses cones and yellow tape that puts their patrons in harms way, IMHO (see photo below).

Cars come and go in a parking lot and when exiting parking spots opposite outdoor seating areas it is possible for cars to backup and plow into diners unless secure barriers are in place.

The barriers used by Playa Bowls are called "Jersey Barriers," which were developed in the 1950s, beginning in the U.S. state of New Jersey as separators between lanes of a highway. Now, plastic water-filled barriers of the same general shape are also called Jersey barriers.

How to Comply

A Township Memorandum, which is handed out to applicants, briefly explains what is necessary for existing retail and restaurant establishments to utilize outdoor space for business purposes.

Specifically, the memo states "To Protect the Health, Safety and General Welfare of the Public" applicants must provide the following:

Written permission from the landlord/property owner that the business is permitted to utilize the expanded area for that purpose.

A site plan showing all of the following information:

The new occupant load showing compliance with the state adopted building code and the mandate on social distancing. [The state criteria are included in the memo]
Depeiction of ADA accessibility and egress provisions
Location of outdoor seating or merchandise sales amenities.
The pedestrian protection system location and type of barriers to be utilized.
If a temporary structure (tent etc.) is to be utilized application must be made to the Township Emergency Services for approval.

In addition, designated ADA/handicapped parking stall and associated egress areas shall not be used for outdoor seating and public rights-of-way, access drives, public easements etc. shall not be utilized for outdoor merchandise sales or dining.

Appears pretty straight-forward and simple to me.

While I am supportive of helping local businesses thrive during this period - I argued for relaxing Township zoning regulations to help local business beginning in early May (see here) - I believe "we are all in this together," which I take to mean that there must be a level playing field; i.e., every business should comply with the same rules.

Posted on 15 Jul 2020, 11:40 - Category: COVID-19

Newtown Supervisors Approve #COVID19 Outdoor Sales & Dining Resolution

On June 24, 2020, the Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved a resolution "establishing guidelines and policy for outdoor sales of merchandise and/or outdoor dining for existing businesses in Newtown Township during the COVID-19 pandemic" (see the resolution embedded below or click here to download the PDF version.)

You might say this is opening a door that many businesses have already walked through. Several restaurants, for example, have already established their own guidelines (read, for example, "Solstice Restaurant Develops Health & Safety Guidelines for Dining Based, in Part, on Reopening Survey").

Nearby municipalities - including Newtown Borough, Doylestown Borough, and Middletown Township - have already passed similar resolutions weeks ago. Newtown's resolution was modeled after Montgomery Township’s resolution and in accordance with CDC guidelines.

The first iteration of the resolution was discussed at the June 15, 2020, BOS Work Session (listen to the discussion here). At that time, Supervisor Kyle Davis and I objected to a provision that would make it virtually impossible for most restaurants to allow outdoor dining on public sidewalks in front of their establishments.

The contentious provision stated: "If a merchant proposes to use part of a sidewalk for outdoor sales of merchandise and/or outdoor dining, the merchant shall allow sufficient space for pedestrians and persons with disabilities to traverse the sidewalk while maintaining a minimum 6-foot distance between each person."

I contended that it would be impossible for the merchant to ensure a distance of 6 feet between diners and pedestrians walking on the sidewalk. This is clearly illustrated by the setup at the Green Parrot on North Sycamore Street (see figue below). The final resolution passed on June 24 excluded the 6-foot distance requirement (shown in bold text above).

Outdoor seating at the Green Parrot. Note that there is ample
room for pedestrians to pass but they may not be 6 feet or
more from diners.

Health & Safety Still a Major Concern: Submit a Plan

Of course, the Township's primary goal is to ensure that the health and safety of citizens are protected. To that end, the resolution states that "Prior to using any outdoor space to conduct outdoor sales of merchandise and/or outdoor dining, a merchant shall submit a plan to the Township for approval which shall depict the exact location of any outdoor merchandise sales and/or outdoor dining facilities, and shall describe the safeguards being employed by the merchant to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its patrons and the public."

The resolution automatically expires within 90 days of its passage, but the term can be extended beyond that by a vote of the Board of Supervisors.

The Resolution

Posted on 25 Jun 2020, 01:04 - Category: COVID-19

Newtown Township Preparing to Help #COVID-19 Impacted Businesses Reopen Safely

I put forward the idea for establishing some kind of panel to advise the township on ways to help local businesses to reopen safely during the current and the next phases of COVID-19 restrictions at the May 13, 2020, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) Zoom meeting.

The following 45-minute podcast features a recording of the resulting discussion. You can view the entire Zoom meeting here.

At a May 18, 2020, "Work Session" via Zoom, the BOS decided to "reconstitute" the dormant Economic Development Committee to assist the BOS in connection with economic development in Newtown Township and community and assist in the preparation and direction of the reopening of businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Committee shall consist of not more than 9 members, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, with the understanding that not more than three members may serve on the Committee who are not residents or own property within Newtown Township.

The three persons who are not Newtown Township residents or property owners must be employed and/or working in Newtown Township to be qualified. Of the nine members, one member shall be a member of the Newtown Business Association and one member of the Newtown Business Commons Association.

For more details regarding the term of office and mission of the Committee when it was established in 2017, download the original resolution here or find it embedded at the end of this post.

A few goals of the Committee as originally established, include:

Identify every business m the Township and maintain a directory of such information;
Identify strengths and weaknesses In various business sectors and ways to improve business sectors that are underserved;
Identify business sectors that are driving the economy in other areas and formulate a plan to attract those businesses to Newtown;
Conduct resident and business surveys through reasonable means available to the Township to help identify community needs and desires not currently available;
Identify economic incentives available through the Township, County, State and Federal government to attract development and redevelopment to the Township;
Corroborate with the Township Administration and Board of Supervisors to identify improvements in zoning, planning, permitting and other areas relevant to the advancement of business development within the Township;
Assist current and future businesses with understanding and complying with Township regulations to help bolster business activity and improve business relationships between the Township and the private sectors;
Any and all other reasonably related goals.

Note that the mission items will be updated to include work products - e.g. guidelines - related to COVID-19 economic recovery.

Apply to be a Member Now

Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2020. Please submit a letter of interest and resume to Olivia Kivenko, Newtown Township, 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown, PA 18940, or by email to oliviak@newtownpa.gov.

Posted on 21 May 2020, 01:15 - Category: COVID-19

Solstice Restaurant Reopening Survey: "We Care What You Think"

Perhaps you received the same email I did from Solstice Restaurant, which is located in the Village of Newtown Shopping Center. The subject was "We Care What You Think".

We are busy preparing the restaurant — updating our cleaning procedures, adding new service standards, upgrading our uniform specifications, and much more — to ensure the health and safety of our guests and team members once we are permitted to reopen our doors. But we're not stopping there, we'd like to know what you need to feel comfortable dining in the restaurant and ordering takeout.

There was a link to an interesting online survey. Here are some of the questions and my responses/comments:

How likely are you to dine out once restaurants are permitted to reopen?

I chose "Undecided" because, duh, it depends on many factors, but especially on the specific safeguards that are in place. The following survey questions suggest safeguards that Solstice is contemplating.

Would you prefer to dine at a restaurant that took the temperature of guests before entering?

My response was "Yes." I'm assuming that Solstice will be using forehead scanners that can measure temperature remotely with minimal contact.

… knowing there will be a minimum 6ft distance between seated groups, how important do you consider the implementation of physical table dividers in the restaurant?

I am neutral regarding table dividers. Seems a bit extreme. In any case, the Italians - as always - have a creative solution. Pool tube hats!

Would you prefer to dine indoors or outdoors?

I chose "outdoors." However, Solstice has a somewhat small outdoor dining area and other restaurants have no outdoor seating at all. This is where the Township may be able to help by issuing, for example, special event permits to allow blocked off portions of parking lots to be used for outdoor dining. However, there are safety issues that would need to be addressed. It will be something Supervisors may discuss at the May 18, 2020, Special Working Session.

Would you prefer a menu that can be disinfected between uses, a disposable menu, or a digital menu that launches on your personal phone?

I'm digital all the way! I have my iPhone and that should work just fine with a simple app or texting. Restaurants need to up their technology in order to survive. Especially, when the check comes (see my answer to that below).

Have you ever used a QR code?

Yes, of couse, even thoiugh it is a bit outmoded these days. Not sure what Solstice has in mind here. Perhaps it will have a video explaining each item on a prineted menu. You just use your phone to scan the QR code next to the item and voila! you get the details without waiting for the server to come over and tell you.

Would you prefer to use our silverware or disposable utensils when dining in our restaurant?

C'mon! This is not Taco Bell! If I go to Solstice and order a steak - which is on the menu - I'm certainly not going to get anywhere with a plastic knife and fork unless it's absurdly tender. Is it?

How important is it to you that we provide a form of contact less payment at the end of your meal versus a standard check with sanitized pen to sign?

YES, YES, YES! Get with it! European restaurants bring over a credit card reader, you insert your card and press the button. Pretty "contact less." However, I prefer Apple Pay so I do not even have to touch my credit card. However it is done, a slection of tip amounts should be included to make it even easier and more "contact less."

What would make you feel more comfortable dining at our restaurant?

When dining out, I feel I am more likely to get infected by employees than by other diners. Masks are fine, but (1) I cannot wear a mask when eating, and (2) even if employees and servers wear masks, the masks are not totally effective. Also, sometimes, masks are worn incorrectly. I've noticed several food vendors wearing masks with their noses uncovered. The image below shows how wrong that is!

You can take the Solstice Reopening Survey here.

Posted on 17 May 2020, 11:50 - Category: COVID-19

Newtown BINGO! We #SupportLocalBusiness

The COVID-19 pandemic mitigation efforts are having a devastating impact on Newtown area businesses including restaurants and retail shops that cannot “work from home” or do business online!

During this trying time, these establishments – many owned by local residents – need help generating business. That is why several Newtown area businesses decided to host a “contest” based on “Tempe Bingo” – a game designed to benefit local businesses: Newtown BINGO!

Here is the basic idea (details subject to change*):

25 businesses will participate, each with a square on the BINGO GAME card.
Each business will promote the BINGO GAME on their website and link to the official virtual BINGO GAME card that residents/game players can download.
To play the game and achieve BINGO! players must order a meal or item of a minimum specific value (details TBD) from 5 businesses all in one row, column, or diagonal of the card. No player can claim more than one BINGO spot per day. Each player has two weeks to get BINGO!
There will be 3 winners will be chosen at random from among all who have achieved BINGO! Players must submit proof of purchases – e.g., printed receipts – to win.
Each winner is entitled to a free purchase of equal or lesser value based on the 5 purchases they made at businesses on the BINGO GAME card.
A GRAND PRIZE will be awarded for filling the entire BINGO GAME card.

There are NO out of pocket upfront costs to restaurant or player who participates in Newtown Area Restaurant BINGO! This contest will be hosted by East Coast Event Group.

Newtown BINGO! Launched on May 18, 2020

This is the official Newtown BINGO! game card for the period Monday, May 18, 2020, through Saturday, June 6, 2020. Download the card and begin playing now!

Official Game Card

Posted on 08 May 2020, 11:20 - Category: COVID-19

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