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RESOLUTION APPROVING TEMPORARY ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY TO PROVIDE FOR SAFE REOPENING AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, temporary business closures and reductions in commercial activity have been necessary to secure the safety of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, opportunities to reopen retail businesses and provide for innovations such as curbside pickup in retail sales were allowed as part of an updated Executive Order by Governor Walz, effective May 4, 2020 (the “Order”); and
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth seeks to provide options for businesses to reopen while establishing safe social distancing practices.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the council hereby approves the following temporary actions and authorizes appropriate staff to modify processes accordingly:
1. Application fees, established pursuant to City Council Resolution 19-0793R, for the following applications under Chapter 50, Unified Development Chapter, shall be waived for businesses that demonstrate an impact to their business resulting from the Order and a need to comply with social distancing practices:
a. 50-37.12: Sidewalk Use Permit
b. 50-37.13: Zoning Permit, when such Temporary Use Permit is related to actions associated with:
i. Parklets as defined in the UDC Application Manual
ii. Business reopening
iii. Social distancing
c. 50-27.1: Sign Permits, when such signage is related to actions associated with business reopening or social distancing.
2. Administrative procedures for Sidewalk Use Permits, Zoning Permits, Parklet Permits, or Sign Permits, as established under 50-36.4, shall be reviewed and modified to streamline and accelerate review processes.
3. Administrative procedures for use of sidewalks and boulevards under Section 45.4 shall be reviewed and modified to streamline and accelerate review processes.
4. Procedures related to parking regulations under Section 33-96 shall be reviewed to facilitate curbside pickup zones and expanded service areas to allow for appropriate social distancing practices.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that no such temporary actions shall be permitted should those temporary actions result in blockage or interference with the free movement of the public on sidewalks and rights-of-way or in violations of provisions of the federal Americans with Disabilities act.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such temporary actions as described herein shall be effective as of the date of this resolution until such time as this resolution is rescinded, but no later than December 31, 2020.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to waive certain fees and to modify certain processes to allow for effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The intent is to allow for greater ability to quickly establish social distancing practices at local businesses, and to allow for new business innovations such as curbside pickup, on a temporary basis. Additional activity on sidewalks would be permitted through December 31, 2020, or until this resolution is rescinded, should the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic be resolved sooner than December 31, 2020. Access corridors for ADA access will be prioritized in all circumstances that are proposed for additional commercial activity under this resolution.