De Pere establishments have options to expand, serve customers outdoors

DE PERE – While public health guidance continues to recommend social distancing to control the spread of COVID-19, local businesses may encounter difficulty providing this recommended physical distancing within the confines of their buildings, while also operating profitably in the months ahead. At the direction of Mayor James Boyd, the City of De Pere seeks to proactively address this through a new proclamation signed under state of emergency powers.

In short, the proclamation gives local restaurants, bars and taverns an opportunity to utilize available outdoor space, including property owned by the licensee, sidewalks adjacent to the licensed premises, and other approved outdoor space to maximize their service area.

Three important notes regarding this measure include:

  • Businesses must file a “temporary expansion” application with the City to receive a permit. This can be done at this link: deperewi.gov/serveoutdoors. While other applications processes have historically taken longer, the City pledges to accelerate applications to a matter of days (pending staff workload and availability).
  • There is an expiration to this order, with “temporary expansion” of businesses set to end no later than October 1, 2020.
  •  If a business proposes to expand onto the City sidewalk or other City right-of-way they will also need to complete and submit an application for a Revocable Occupancy Permit along with the $32 fee. The application is found here (https://www.deperewi.gov/egov/documents/1559223514_26591.pdf ) and requires the following additional information:
    o Copy of current Certificate of Insurance, with City of De Pere names as an additional insured.
    o A layout drawing to scale, which accurately depicts the dimensions of the area and the proposed location of the encroachment

“In De Pere, we cherish our local businesses and appreciate the extraordinary resolve they have demonstrated during this historically difficult time. We are here to support them in whatever manner possible, and our hope is that this latest proclamation, along with citizen support, will help these important establishments both endure and thrive in the months ahead,” Mayor Boyd said.

Mayor Boyd also extended his gratitude to assistant City attorney Kristen Johnson and City Clerk Carey Danen, along with Daniel Lindstrom, Director of Development Services, and Scott Thoreson, Director of Public Works, for the assistance they have provided for both the creation and execution of these permits for local businesses.

For more information on the Temporary Expansion application and process, call 920-339-4050, or visit deperewi.gov.