Newport City Council Okays Outdoor Dining

The Newport City Council Tuesday night approved a couple of items that will affect downtown, and in a good way. First, the council agreed to change the ordinance that prohibits outdoor dining downtown. Outdoor dining will now be allowed in the downtown district without a privacy fence. That is a plus for any proposed restaurants looking to locate in downtown Newport. The council also voted to apply for a one million dollar grant to renovate Woodlawn Avenue downtown.

The City council Tuesday night also voted to change the zoning for the annexed distribution center on Edwina Road to industrial.

The council also issued a certificate of compliance for the sale of West End Liquors. City attorney James Finchum says with the city issuing that certificate of compliance, it will now be up to the state of Tennessee as to whether that sale goes through.