NEWS

Sidewalk cafe regulations, city hiring going before Augusta Commission

Susan McCord
smccord@augustachronicle.com

New regulations for sidewalk cafes in downtown Augusta and hiring a city administrator are expected to highlight discussion Tuesday at an Augusta Commission meeting.

The regulations set the boundaries within which restaurants can serve food and alcohol on city sidewalks in the central business district. They also impose a $25 annual fee on businesses that serve on the sidewalk.

The ordinance changes did not pass a city committee last week after Commissioner John Clarke said he objected to charging businesses another fee to operate and will now go before the full commission.

Also up for approval is keeping the alcohol and business licenses intact for the Private “I” nightclub where two were killed outside in December. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office cited a steady increase in crime at the club, including firearms possession and drug charges in a request last week for the commission to consider revoking or suspending the licenses.

Club owner Ollie Lee, who hired attorney Tanya Jeffords last week, also has a request for a dance license on the agenda.

Businessman George Snelling, Goodwill executive Jim Stiff and pastor Toney Cross are scheduled to speak to the commission about their objection to a rezoning proposal allowing a drive-through oil change venue at 3133 Washington Road.

In two related items, Commissioner Ben Hasan called last week to give the commission greater control over who is selected as finalists for city administrator, rather than rely on the mayor’s vetting. The item goes before the full commission without recommendation. Commission Marion Williams is asking to start advertising for administrator and recreation director, both of which are held by interim staffers.

Also going before the commission is spending up to $150,000 in Transportation Investment Act discretionary funds to create a turn lane off of Doug Barnard Parkway for Standard Aero, which operates jet engine and aircraft repair and avionics shops at Augusta Regional Airport.