Columbia council approves restaurant seating in parking spaces

Columbia restaurants can use parking spots for extra seating. The city council approved the option during Monday night’s meeting.

The temporary permits could not be for longer than 90 days at a time, then the restaurants would have to request an extension.

Newly-elected councilwoman Andrea Waner was one of the votes in favor. She officially replaced Mike Trapp on Monday night. Trapp did not seek re-election.

“The more often that we can get our businesses supported after Covid, and then also get our restaurants and our diners outside safely and we can support our businesses, that’s what we need to be doing,” Waner said.

Neighboring businesses and residents will have the chance to object to the lost parking before permits are approved.