ZEELAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Could one “Feel the Zeel” while literally dining or shopping on the streets of downtown Zeeland soon?
During Monday night’s meeting, City Council members were briefed on a proposal to allow retailers in the SARB district to temporarily use public parking spaces for extended business sales areas. The initiative, spurred by space limitations created by the efforts to combat COVID 19 statewide, would allow stores and restaurants to use adjacent parking spots in front and back of their facility through the end of November, and the $100 fee sidewalk café fee charged by the city would be waived for 2020.
Mayor Kevin Klynstra and his Council colleagues unanimously agreed to have City Manager Tim Klunder and his staff make the final determination on such requests on a case-by-case basis. “We would like to help in any way possible,” Klynstra said on “WHTC Talk of the Town” during his monthly appearance on Tuesday. “Maybe (by) not closing Main Street yet, but if they would like to use the back of their building, in the front, or maybe going into the parking spaces, they would be up to them, and then they could propose what they would like to city staff.”
The Saugatuck City Council considered a similar proposal last week.
