By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The Bucyrus community had its say to the issue of outdoor dining and beverages at Tuesday’s Bucyrus City Council meeting.
Over 30 people attended the meeting, most of them appearing to support Norman’s Niche, which has led the fight to establish an outdoor seating area. Norman’s Niche owner, Natalie Norman, was the first of 15 people that spoke during the visitors’ portion of the meeting.
“I felt more love and friendship this last week from people in the community. If nothing else has come from this, I know that we made a difference in the downtown,” Norman said. “We need to increase people coming downtown, I think that’s something we all need to see. It benefits every business downtown.”
A variety of people expressed their support, from local residents, leaders in the community, business owners, and old and young tax payers.
Advanced Fiber Technology President Doug Leuthold told about driving through Brooklyn, Mich., this past weekend where he and his wife saw an outdoor seating area for a restaurant and decided to dine there. He asked the people there if they had any difficulties getting the outdoor seating arranged, which they replied no.
“Their response was, ‘We love to have people outside our little town of Brooklyn come to our town and spend their money, we like even better for you to return,’” Leuthold explained.
He found it to be an enlightening experience, especially due to the higher congestion and small area of clearance than what was found at Norman’s Niche.
“I would like to think that Bucyrus is a community that encourages entrepreneurship and the effort it takes to grow and start their business,” Leuthold added. “It’s not easy. It wasn’t easy when I started in the industrial park. When we take those chances, we help start new businesses downtown, they take care of our vacant or blighted buildings.
“If we don’t support our entrepreneurs, someday we’re going to wake up and we’re going to wonder what happened to our community. I hope we don’t get into that situation.”
Leuthold’s sentiments as a business person were echoed by Rebecca Starner, Dr. Robert Cox, Kurt Fankhauser, and former business owners Bob and Sandy Laipply. John Kime spoke for the younger generation while Gary and Trudy Erwin advocated for the older generation, all of who agreed that businesses which were allowed to have outdoor dining were a benefit to the community whether it was bringing young families in or retaining older families.
Dr. Joe Shadeed, a significant force in moving the community forward through such works as Crawford: 20/20 and the Crawford Connection Center, said outdoor dining areas would make the downtown a warmer and more welcoming area, especially to the younger people.
“Maybe this is another step in attracting and retaining our young people here in this area instead of losing them all to other counties,” Shadeed said.
Councilwoman Wanda Sharrock, who submitted an opinion article discussing her concerns about outdoor seating and alcohol, appeared open to the community’s opinions, but still questioned how or if it could be done. It was council member Bill O’Rourke, however, who still opposed sidewalks being used by businesses.
“Just because you have a business doesn’t mean you can put something out in front of your business in the public’s right-of-way,” O’Rourke argued.
A motion was made to send the issue of outdoor dining and beverages to the Planning Commission. If the Planning Commission gives a recommendation in favor of outdoor dining, the matter would then be taken up by the Platting Committee, which would hold a meeting and set a public hearing on the issue. The proposed amendment would have to receive three-quarters approval from the full council and would become law after 30 days barring any petition for a ballot initiative.
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The council passed four pieces of legislation: an appropriation for airport improvements, an Ohio Public Works Commission grant for the water plant, entrance into a contract for the City Hall roof, and the support for U.S. Bike Route 40. Dan Wirebaugh was the lone vote against the support for the bike route and previously expressed concerns over the bike path costing the city in the long run. The path would follow Lower Leesville Road, Hopley Avenue, South Walnut Street, and West Mansfield Street.
Mayor Jeff Reser announced that a group of volunteers are needed to help work on the playscape at Aumiller Park. Timken associates will be leading the work and supplies have been donated by the company. The playscape, which was built 15 years ago, needs a new coat of stain. Volunteers should meet at 9 a.m. on Sept. 17 at Aumiller Park. The rain date for the event has been scheduled for Sept. 24.