Murphys, CA…From the Murphys Business Association…”The Board of Supervisors will be hearing and hopefully approving, an urgency ordinance today. The ordinance is intended to provide flexibility for businesses during the current Covid restrictions on indoor activities. The intention is to allow businesses to use available parking, patio, and other outdoor space adjacent to their business to extend their existing business activities to that outdoor area with minimal bureaucratic requirements.

You may watch and listen to the hearings using this link: http://calaverascountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx
You may download the agenda and draft ordinance here:
http://calaverascountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1640&Inline=True

You may use the posted phone numbers to call in and comment during the public comment period.
The MBA has been working with our Supervisor to encourage and influence the proposed ordinance. Our initial efforts have focused on eliminating much of the parking on Main Street between Murphys Grille and the Native Sons on the east end of town and Algiers on the west end with additional eliminations in front of the Murphys Historic Hotel and Aria, Stevenot, & Broll to the extent practical. We also wanted to see businesses that have existing patios and parking on private land be able to use that area to extend their operations outside. That said the ordinance will apply county wide if approved and all businesses will have the opportunity to request flexibility if they fit the criteria.

While the details are not yet clear, it is likely that some kind of fee free permit will be required including the approval of the building department, public works department, and other involved agencies depending on the situation. The County is committed to keeping the process quick and simple. Businesses with food and drink service will need to extend their ABC boundaries and comply with all Health Department guidelines as well as state guidelines. The County is likely to require some kind of indemnification agreement/proof of insurance as well.

We understand that the ABC is prepared to issue modifications to allow this with a $100 fee and completed application including map of new boundaries. We believe that you will also need verification that the County allows the modification and are hoping that a copy of the adopted ordinance will suffice so that businesses will be able to apply ASAP.

There are other requirements that are likely to be enforced. The California Fire Code includes limitations on the materials and sizes of canopies and covers. Tents and canopies should be fire resistant and tents, if larger than 400 sf do require a building permit. Businesses should be prepared to have a fire extinguisher located outside, post No Smoking signs, and keep access to fire lanes, fire hydrants and public sidewalks clear.

In the case of expansion into roadside parking spaces, some form of separation will be required to protect customers from adjacent traffic. We are working with the County to determine what will be acceptable. It is likely to be some kind of barrier, guardrail, portable fencing, barrels, rope or combination of items that would limit a car from plowing into seating areas and provide a visual barrier.

We will also likely be required to post No Parking signs and directional signs to public parking lots. The MBA is working to determine exactly what will be required.

In other Covid news, the County reported it’s first death yesterday. While we do not know who it is our, we extend our condolences to his family and friends. An update on testing and confirmed cases is expected today. Links to the County’s Public Health pages are included on our Covid Resource page linked below.

We’ll keep you updated as new information becomes available.

Have a great week and make sure to share your thoughts and ideas with us. You’ll notice that a new banner is up over Main Street and we have added a couple more signs in town reminding people to wear their face coverings, wash their hands, and keep their distance 🙂

Please let us know if you are planning to take advantage of the use of Main Street parking if it becomes available. We are trying to keep a tally and share it with our Supervisor so that the County will be prepared for those applications. Merita has been vigorously advocating for a quick and simple process for our businesses and has been asking for our input, we thank her for all her efforts and hope to see a resolution come out of today’s meeting. Keep your fingers crossed!”