WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The City of Williamsburg has extended and simplified their outdoor dining order that allows dining in parking zones and on designated city streets.
The city council voted in an unanimous vote to extend the order at the request of the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association.
In May, the City Manager issued Temporary Zoning Guidance that allowed outdoor dining areas to be expanded into parking zones and along two blocks of Prince George Street.
The Temporary Zoning Guidance ordinance now expires once the Governor permits indoor dining at 100% of allowed capacity and has no date for specific expiration.
Current restrictions for Phase 3 allow 100% of the indoor dining space to be used, but physical distancing is required, which reduces capacity below 100%.
When the need for physical distancing has passed, this allowance will expire.
Williamsburg may modify or remove street closures associated with the temporary zoning guidance before indoor dining is allowed at full capacity if so desired by adjacent property and business owners.
“The City established the Temporary Zoning Guidance to provide the City ’s businesses with flexibility as they safely reopened to the public,” City Manager Andrew O. Trivette said. “We are listening to property and business owners about best approaches, and this extension allows us to remain flexible moving forward. COVID-19 remains a threat to public health and theimpacts continue to drive reduced business to the region’s commercial zones. The City is committed to seeing a safe reopening that allows business to thrive in a new operating model. These changes are important small steps that provide the opportunity for our local restaurants to serve patrons safely.”
