Radnor Introduces Ordinance For Outdoor Dining In Garrett Hill

RADNOR, PA —Radnor commissioners Monday night voted 6 to 1 to introduce an ordinance to provide outdoor dining in the Garrett Hill section of the township.

Garrett Hill is a residential community with a small commercial area near the intersection of Conestoga Road and Garrett Avenue, consisting of a few taverns and small businesses. It has a Bryn Mawr postal address.

Commissioner Sean Farhy said outdoor dining would help the business community in Garrett Hill compete with other businesses in the township, which includes many dining options in the Wayne section of Radnor.

“It’s important to me, and it’s important to the community,” Farhy said. “The sooner it gets done, the better. I want it to be fair and equitable for all.”

Farhy said the residents do not have any objections, noting the residents and businesses have a lot of pride in Garrett Hill.

These are the restaurants that could qualify for outdoor dining:

• Conestoga Style Pizza, 905 Conestoga Road.
• Garrett Hill Ale House, 157 Garrett Ave.
• Flipo & Bailey’s, 900 Conestoga Road.

Commissioner Jake Abel voted against introducing the ordinance because the township has a comprehensive planning group that was established to address the issue.

Moira Mulroney, board president, said she favors outdoor dining and would like to hear from residents who also favor outdoor dining.

Some Garrett Hill residents expressed opposition to the proposed outdoor dining ordinance.

Dee Delaney, who resides in the 200 block of Williams Road, said noise and parking would be problems for the residents if outdoor dining is approved.

"When people come home from work, all they want to find a place to park and be able to sleep at night," she said.

Delaney said there are healthcare workers and professors living in Garrett Hill.

“It’s a very dense residential neighborhood and everyone loves it there,” she said. “They love it because we have a real community.”

Sarah Pilling, a longtime Garrett Hill resident, asked the board not to introduce the ordinance, noting there are parking issues.