‘We want people to dine and meet outside’: Springfield makes ordinance allowing outdoor seating at restaurants permanent – masslive.com
City officials are encouraging more businesses to apply for permits to offer outdoor dining for their customers, saying they believe it provides more than fresh air. At a meeting Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to make the outdoor seating ordinance permanent. The ordinance, originally set to expire after a year, allows restaurants and other businesses to apply for permits to have tables outside on city sidewalks and other public ways.