Outdoor Dining on Maple Street: Finding a Balanced Approach
Mark Gundersen, a Summit resident and member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, emphasizes that the discussion about outdoor dining on Maple Street doesn’t have to be an “all-or-nothing” proposition. Instead of a permanent seasonal closure, he suggests a more practical solution: weekend closures.
Gundersen points out that while his opponent, Claire Toth, has advocated for a permanent seasonal closure to boost outdoor dining, there are safety and traffic flow considerations that cannot be ignored. The City Engineer has stated that he cannot certify that a permanent closure would meet the safety and traffic requirements set by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), making a long-term closure unfeasible.
During the pandemic, municipalities had more flexibility to close streets temporarily, but those executive orders are no longer in effect. Moving forward, any permanent or seasonal closure must meet strict NJDOT guidelines, which Maple Street doesn’t currently satisfy.
Gundersen proposes a compromise: closing Maple Street for dining each weekend from Friday at 4 pm to Sunday at 4 pm during the autumn and warm-weather months. This measured approach doesn’t require NJDOT approval and supports local restaurants without disrupting weekday traffic.
Gundersen’s plan aims to find a balanced solution that can be adjusted based on a trial run and community feedback, fostering a vibrant downtown atmosphere without compromising safety or functionality.
Key Takeaways:
The permanent seasonal closure of Maple Street isn’t feasible due to NJDOT regulations.
Gundersen proposes a weekend-only closure to support outdoor dining.
This approach can be fine-tuned based on results and community input.
Mark Gundersen encourages collaboration and thoughtful decision-making to enhance Summit’s outdoor dining experience in a safe and sustainable way.
Outdoor Dining on Maple Street: Finding a Balanced Approach
Mark Gundersen, a Summit resident and member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, emphasizes that the discussion about outdoor dining on Maple Street doesn’t have to be an “all-or-nothing” proposition. Instead of a permanent seasonal closure, he suggests a more practical solution: weekend closures.
Gundersen points out that while his opponent, Claire Toth, has advocated for a permanent seasonal closure to boost outdoor dining, there are safety and traffic flow considerations that cannot be ignored. The City Engineer has stated that he cannot certify that a permanent closure would meet the safety and traffic requirements set by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), making a long-term closure unfeasible.
During the pandemic, municipalities had more flexibility to close streets temporarily, but those executive orders are no longer in effect. Moving forward, any permanent or seasonal closure must meet strict NJDOT guidelines, which Maple Street doesn’t currently satisfy.
Gundersen proposes a compromise: closing Maple Street for dining each weekend from Friday at 4 pm to Sunday at 4 pm during the autumn and warm-weather months. This measured approach doesn’t require NJDOT approval and supports local restaurants without disrupting weekday traffic.
Gundersen’s plan aims to find a balanced solution that can be adjusted based on a trial run and community feedback, fostering a vibrant downtown atmosphere without compromising safety or functionality.
Key Takeaways:
Mark Gundersen encourages collaboration and thoughtful decision-making to enhance Summit’s outdoor dining experience in a safe and sustainable way.
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