Seattle mayor Greg Nickels' proposal on sidewalk cafe permits may be just what Ballard restaurant owners need to cash in on the growing sidewalk cafe trend.

The plan proposes simplifying the sidewalk cafe permit process to a streamlined 10-day period, and reducing the permit price by about $1,700.

Under the current system, a 10-day turnaround is unheard of. Richard Sheridan, a public information officer with the Seattle Department of Transportation, describes the process as complicated and bureaucratic, with a multi-month waiting period and shuffling between the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, the Seattle Department of Transportation, and back to the Seattle Department of Planning and Development again.

La Carta De Oaxaca manager Robert Dominquez describes the process as a pain. The restaurant has had their sidewalk cafe for about a year, but it took them about a year and half just to get their permit.

"Clearly the sidewalk cafe is an important component of this business," said Kerri Lonergan, Lombardi's Cucina vice president and corporate controller. "But it's pricey."

Current fees include land use and street use permit costs, sidewalk cafe processing, notice, review, and any other fees assessed by the Seattle Department of Transportation, costing establishments an average of $2,300 for a 100 square foot sidewalk caf/ in its first year.

"We pay for all these fees for permits and uses, but we keep seeing taxes go up," Lonergan said. "There is a lack of accountability there by the city. But by not having a sidewalk caf/ we would be shooting ourselves in the foot."

The money restaurants are paying for these permits goes towards any actions taken by the city on their behalf. This includes anything from the reviewing of the application to visiting the restaurant site for inspections. The surplus then goes into the city's general fund, Sheridan said. With the simpler process and reduced departmental overhead, the city is able to cut costs and pass the savings along to applicants.

But the sidewalk cafe does raise some undeniable issues.

"They generally add to the ambiance of the community," said Lisa Quinn, the executive director of pedestrian advocacy group Feet First. "But they do create potential limitations to sidewalk access, especially for those with disabilities."

Because of the importance of sidewalk space, the Seattle Department of Transportation focuses a lot of their time on encroachment issues, Sheridan said. The ability to get around has large impact on the quality of life in Seattle neighborhoods. All sidewalk cafes must currently allow a five-foot clearance for pedestrians. If Nickels' proposal is approved by the City Council, the clearance will be increased to six feet. Public concerns about sidewalk cafes will also be addressed in even more depth.

"Upon approval, we will then issue a client assistance memo that will address things such as hours of operation, design standards, seating, landscaping," Sheridan said. "So that applicants know what the expectations are."

But alcohol consumption at sidewalk cafes is regulated by the Washington Liquor Control Board. Restaurants wishing to serve alcohol outdoors require special board approval, and a barrier that is a minimum of 42 inches in height to enclose the area.

"The appeal of sidewalk cafes is that it makes people feel more continental - it's a European tradition," said Beth Miller, executive director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce. "And it offers a different choice in dining."

Although sidewalk cafes are generally only utilized in the summer months, there is no denying the demand that has resulted in the 225 present in the city.

"Maybe because we don't get as much sun," Miller said. "So people want to be outside when it's there."

Nickels' proposal is being reviewed by the City Council now, but he hopes that it is approved and running before this summer's end, Sheridan said.

"It's good for the entire community," Quinn said. "It gets more people out and walking because of the vibrant environment. And it generally makes people feel safer to do so because there are so many other people around."

Camille Villanueva may be reached via bnteditor@robinsonnews.com