Restaurants May Get to Have Parking Lot Parties

If a Strongsville restaurant wants to have an outdoor festival -- a two-day Mexican fiesta, say, or a clambake -- it's out of luck.

The city doesn't allow it.

But Councilman at large Joe DeMio is asking city administrators to change the law to give restaurants a chance -- once a year only -- to have a special outdoor event.

"I've had two calls, and I've had to say no because there's no ordinance on our books," DeMio said.

Mayor Tom Perciak said the city gets frequent requests from businesses, including mall, for outdoor festivals.

"We don't want carnival rides there," Perciak said. "It's a place of business."

And Assistant Law Director Dan Kolick said he fears the city would then have to open up the option to all city businesses so as not to discriminate.

But DeMio said the ordinance could apply only to restaurants, for a limited-purpose, once-a-year event on the eatery's property.

"I don't want carnival rides. I don't want pitching machines," DeMio said.

Instead, he wants restaurants to be able to erect a tent in their parking lot for an Italian festival, Oktoberfest or other food-related event to promote their businesses.

"As you know, that business (restaurant) right now is brutal," DeMio said.

Perciak asked Kolick to research the idea and make a recommendation.