Brentwood extends temporary outdoor dining guidelines through April

Outdoor dining rules for businesses in Brentwood have been extended. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

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By Wendy Sturges | 1:55 PM Jan 26, 2021 CST | Updated 1:55 PM Jan 26, 2021 CST

Extending a measure previously adopted in October, the city of Brentwood will allow smaller restaurants to have temporary outdoor dining spaces, allowing for more social distancing, through April.

The Brentwood City Commission voted Jan. 25 to approve an extension to a resolution that allows city staff to approve outdoor dining space, rather than having business owners formally apply through the city’s official process, which requires approval from the Brentwood Planning Commission. The rule technically expired Jan. 1, according to the original resolution.

Restaurants will still be required to maintain safety standards and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to City Manager Kirk Bednar.

The commission was originally intended to extend only through March 31; however, Bednar said as people typically do not choose to eat outside during the winter months, the city opted to extend outdoor dining spaces through April 30 following an amendment from Mayor Rhea Little.

By Wendy Sturges

A Houston native and graduate of St. Edward's University in Austin, Wendy Sturges has worked as a community journalist covering local government, health care, business and development since 2011. She has worked with Community Impact since 2015 as a reporter and editor and moved to Tennessee in 2019.

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