Aspinwall officials move to advertise controversial ordinance, adoption in October
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A borough ordinance regulating outdoor operations for businesses in Aspinwall is one step closer to going on the books.
Council voted Sept. 7 to advertise what has been called the “hours of operation” ordinance.
It prohibits all outdoor business, commercial and trading activities from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and midnight to 7 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The ordinance stemmed from talks about two years ago with the planning commission. That discussion focused on ordinances that moderated noise and delivery hours.
Council added a special permit provision after it received feedback from several businesses.
“If someone was having an event that needed them to stay open past the business of operation hours, they could come to the borough and get a permit to stay open beyond the ordinance hours,” council President Tim McLaughlin said.
Residents and business owners had opportunities to comment about the ordinance the past several months.
Sheri Rice, owner of Luke and Mike’s Frontporch, said she felt the ordinance targeted her business, and there was nothing she could do about it.
“They said what they were going to do, and they did that,” Rice said Sept. 14. “They put it up for discussion. They were going to pass the bill to advertise it, advertise it and pass it.
“I was here before that ordinance, and it only affects one business that’s outdoors here and that’s mine. The people in a position of power can do as they choose.”
Council members have said at several meetings that the proposed ordinance is for all businesses in the borough, and no one is singled out.
Rice said she does not anticipate the ordinance being much of a hindrance “because of the quiet bar that I have and rarely have the good fortune to be open past 10:30 p.m.”
The bar’s hours of operation are from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 4 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
Rice said she went through great expense in 2010 when the place was built; in 2016 when she got a liquor license and in 2018 to put a bar outside.
“This is a business and people want to be entertained,” she said. “They don’t want to be told to hurry up and go home.”
Rice said she supported the added permit for special events, adding she would apply for it when hosting weddings and parties.
The ordinance is expected to be adopted Oct. 12.
A draft of the ordinance was posted on the borough’s website at aspinwallpa.com.