Friday, May 18, 2007

Two new outdoor cafes are proposed

By John McTaggart

One more goal of the downtown Birmingham 2016 Plan may finally be achieved if Dick O’Dows and Cannella’s Pastries are permitted to establish outdoor cafés in city rights-of-way.

Both have applied for site plan approval from the Planning Board to construct elevated platforms seven feet into the street. Such cafés were recommended in 1996 by urban planner Andres Duany.

At the urging of the Buzz, the City Commission last year gave the go-ahead for quicker approvals for outdoor cafés. It also last month changed city ordinances to allow serving liquor in rights-of-way.

City planners have recommended approval of the plans.

Dick O’Dow’s is at 160 W. Maple, and Cannella’s is at 300 Hamilton Row. The Planning Board meets Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.