The city of Cortez is offering to fast-track the application process for restaurants and retail stores looking to increase outdoor capacity.
The goal is to offset restrictions on indoor capacity set by the state because of the COVID-19 pandemic, said City Manager John Dougherty.
Planning fees will be waived, and the approval process will be expedited for businesses with proposals to expand outdoor occupancy. Normally, the approval process for such projects would take months.
“If restaurants and retailers have ideas, we want to work with them and get it done quickly,” Dougherty said. “The goal is to work with businesses to temporarily expand their outdoor footprint.”
Options could include expanded outdoor seating and retail space onto a parking lot, sidewalk or business property. Plans could include adding outdoor tents, igloos or breezeways with outdoor heaters. The structures can not be permanent, and the permit would be temporary.
Under the current Level Orange pandemic restrictions, restaurants in Cortez and Montezuma County are limited to 25% capacity indoors or up to 50 people if 6-foot social distancing is followed. Takeout and delivery services may continue.
Retailers are capped at 50% indoor capacity with increased curbside pickup and delivery.
If the county went to the more restrictive Level Red, indoor dining would be closed. Outdoor dining could continue, but only parties of the same household could sit together. Retailers would stay at the 50% indoor capacity at Level Red.
Cortez officials encourage businesses to apply for more outdoor seating in advance of the potential designation of the more restrictive Level Red.
“We’re opening up an option so they can get approval taken care of and be ready,” Dougherty said. “We’re trying to keep our businesses open.”
Applications will be reviewed by the Cortez Planning and Building Department and processed as fast as possible, he said. A building inspector will review the site to determine whether there is a public safety issue, and a decision would be made by planning officials and the town manager.
Because City Hall is closed, an appointment for Planning and Zoning is necessary. To make an appointment, call 970-570-5686.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
