Outdoor dining expanded dramatically everywhere in the past year, and most agree it’s one of the few things about 2020 they’re not ready to see in the rearview mirror.

Not only is COVID still very much a concern, but even were it not, the expansion of European-style “cafe culture” added life to streets and public spaces at a time when public life was strictly muzzled.

Initially enacted in Bristol by a July 1, 2020, amendment to multiple ordinances, the town effectively lowered many of the hoops a restauranteur would normally have to jump through to get town permission for outdoor dining. While not carte blanche, the order dramatically streamlined the process.

At last week’s Bristol Town Council meeting, Solicitor Michael Ursillo presented a memo explaining his recommendation for the Council to stay the course and allow local restaurants to apply for renewals to outdoor dining under the same terms as last July.

“There are two things of note,” said Mr. Ursillo. “There is legislation that has been introduced in the General Assembly, on both the House and the Senate sides, that would extend the ability for these establishments, restaurants, cafés, etc. to continue with an outside service for an additional year. We don’t know if that legislation is going to be amended or if it’s even going to be adopted, but we will know that most likely during the months of May and June.”

That proposed state-level legislation would prevent any municipality from enacting any rules that would impede the continuation of outdoor dining for a year after the state’s ongoing emergency declaration has been rescinded.

Mr. Ursillo also provided the Council with a list of points to be addressed in the event the Council wants to consider longer-term licenses for these outdoor dining establishments in the future. “I gave you a number of bullet points we would need to deal with (including) the service area requirements set forth in the historic district … the issue of expansion of the service areas for alcohol … use of sidewalks, ADA, parking issues, etc.,” he said.

Given that pending state legislation may address all these concerns, Mr. Ursillo recommended no action on the part of the Council at this time, and suggested restaurants apply for the permits that will allow them to operate as they did last summer.

That advice was met with enthusiasm by restaurant owners like Zach Rivers, whose Judge Roy Bean Saloon at State and Thames streets was one of the first local establishments to take advantage of the relaxed regulations.

“Last summer’s model was very positive, so I hope that’s the direction we’re heading in,” said Mr. Rivers. “I’m excited for the season, and we are planning some beautification at the beginning of May to make it a nice spot for summer.”