Diners will continue to have a series of outdoor eating options this summer in Glencoe, but the restaurants will operate under some new procedures for this year.

On April 21, village trustees approved a series of guidelines recommended by village staff related to downtown restaurants utilizing spaces in the public areas. These regulations were created following a series of lengthy board discussions earlier in the year.

Under the 2022 plan, restaurants will have to pay a fee of $0.50 per square foot, per month, for use of public areas as part of a licensing agreement with the village.

Village officials estimated, for example, Guildhall, a popular downtown restaurant, would pay between $500 and $600 per month under this fee structure.

Also, the village is implementing a series of appearance and design guidelines, including the requirement of a crash barrier, the types of materials that can be used for the eating structures, plus rules on usage of colors, signage, heating and lighting.

Specifically, individual restaurants will be able to request to have up to three parking spaces for carryout orders with a total of 15 spaces altogether.

Under the plan, a restaurant may have one individual parking space for free, with a charge of $25 per space for the second and third spaces for breakfast and dinner and $75 for lunch.

“Recognizing the midday hours are typically the busiest downtown so we would like to encourage judicious use of the spaces in that time frame,” said Assistant Village Manager Sharon Tanner.

All board members signed off on the staff’s recommendation.

“I’m comfortable with your proposal,” said Village President Howard Roin.

In separate action at the board meeting, trustees approved a licensing agreement with Guildhall for use of the on-street parking spaces for its parking structure.

Tanner told Pioneer Press in an email that the village is working with another owner’s outdoor dining request for this year.

She added the licensing agreements are for 2022 and trustees are set to re-examine requests next year.

Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelancer.