The Lawrence City Commission delayed consideration this week of new standards for sidewalk dining areas after members of the public asked for more time to study the issue.

It’s a good idea for commissioners to carefully consider this issue. Perhaps it can be placed on the agenda immediately after Downtown Lawrence’s annual sidewalk sale in July. The sale would provide a wonderful reminder of just how congested downtown sidewalks can get.

Sidewalk seating areas can be attractive on the limited number of Kansas days that are conducive to outdoor dining, but there is an obvious concern that limited sidewalk space will be eaten up by chairs, tables and wrought iron fences. The possibility that sidewalk seating might also be allowed for drinking establishments – those that don’t meet the restaurant standard of deriving at least 70 percent of their sales from food or nonalcoholic drinks – also creates concerns about the atmosphere of downtown, especially late at night.

The city’s Historic Resources Commission has made several recommendations regarding sidewalk dining areas. One is that the areas must leave at least 6 feet of sidewalk for pedestrian use. That may seem sufficient, but even 6 feet isn’t enough to comfortably accommodate two strollers or two wheelchairs meeting on the sidewalk.

The HRC also suggests that railings around the seating areas be ornamental iron or wrought iron but be removable for special events or emergencies. What special events would be included? The sidewalk sale, various parades? Such events probably would be popular times for outdoor dining, so who will tell businesses they have to pull tables inside on those days? And how practical is it to take time to remove the railings in case of emergency? If the railings impede quick access in an emergency situation, perhaps they are too hazardous to begin with.

From time to time, someone suggests that Lawrence consider closing Massachusetts Street in several downtown blocks and creating a pedestrian mall. That would provide more than ample room for outdoor dining, but it’s not a move that has garnered much support from downtown businesses that favor parking in front of their stores.

Downtown Lawrence is one of this city’s real gems, an area that draws many visitors from out of town. City commissioners are right to be cautious of changes that will significantly alter the downtown scene – including new rules that will significantly expand the use of public sidewalks as outdoor eating areas.