NewsPinellas County

Actions

Dunedin city leaders discuss changes to outdoor dining ordinance

Dunedin outdoor dining controversy continues
Dining table
Posted
and last updated

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Dunedin city leaders are set to consider changes to the outdoor dining ordinance.

This ordinance is causing controversy among restaurant owners. The current rule requires restaurants and bars to close their outdoor patios at 11 p.m. during the week and midnight on the weekends.

We spoke to Michael Bryant from Dunedin Brewery. He said his restaurant is grandfathered in, so he does not have to comply with the current ordinance, but it still hurts his business.

“Even if my business is grandfathered in the rest of my community, being shut down at 11 p.m. doesn't help the business community,” Bryant said. 

The ordinance has been in place since 2011, but restaurants say they noticed a change in enforcement this summer. Bryant said if it continues this way, it will hurt tourism and business and change the feel of Dunedin. 

“You don’t go to Dunedin for one stop. You go there and visit a few breweries or a brewery, a restaurant and a shop,” Bryant said. 

The proposed changes will be presented to the City Commission for a first reading on Aug. 1 and a second reading in September. 

Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutdown will impact Tampa's PBS and NPR stations

From Mr. Rogers to Sesame Street. From Downton Abbey to the documentaries of filmmaker Ken Burns. They’re shows so many Americans love and grew up on, and they were broadcast on local PBS stations thanks to funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutdown will impact Tampa's PBS and NPR stations