Draft ordinance limiting outdoor business activities in Aspinwall moving forward, public input sought

Aspinwall officials want to hear from business owners and others as they consider an ordinance limiting outdoor dining and other business activities.

A draft ordinance of what is being called “hours of operation” is expected to be circulated this month to shops and the Aspinwall Chamber of Commerce.

It prohibits all outdoor business, commercial and trading activities from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from midnight to 7 a.m. Friday through Saturday.

“Our goal with the ordinance is to create a clear and concise set of rules which both residents and business owners understand,” council Vice President David Borland said.

“Our commercial district is pretty unique in that many of those areas abut residential districts. The ordinance only references outdoor activities so the businesses are free to operate indoors. We felt regulating the hours of operation was the best way for all involved to understand the rules and expectations. This includes both the businesses looking to manage their operation and residents that live in areas that abut our unique commercial district.”

The ordinance stemmed from talks about two years ago with the planning commission.

Borland said that discussion focused on ordinances that moderated noise in the borough and delivery hours.

“We have put forth a plan that was recommended by the planning commission, and I feel this is a good compromise between the residents and the business owners,” he said.

Discussions about the ordinance became heated at a May 11 council meeting.

Luke and Mike’s Frontporch General Manager Lou Curcio Jr. was escorted out of council chambers that evening night after cursing at council and resident Patti McCaffrey, who was talking about how she no longer patronizes the establishment.

Curcio said at the time that he had to “stand up for what I believed in,” and believed the ordinance was part of an attack on the restaurant.

Borough Manager Melissa Lang O’Malley said July 14 the proposed legislation does not single out any particular business.

“It’s to limit the ambient noise in the neighborhood and on the street in the evenings,” she said. “It does focus not just on outdoor dining, but all outdoor businesses. If there would be any type of a sidewalk sale or Black Friday open at midnight sale, that type of stuff, everything would have to be inside.”

The proposed ordinance is expected to be discussed at the Aug. 3 workshop meeting.

The plan is to vote to advertise it at the Aug. 10 regular meeting and adopt it in September.