LEWISTON – Tables, chairs and temporary signs will not be barred from Lisbon Street after all.

The City Council this week voted on initial approval of a new policy that also will allow stores to display some merchandise on sidewalks. The council will take a final vote on the proposal next month.

Current city codes don’t allow any sidewalk obstructions, including cafe tables or temporary signs.

“Given what we are trying to accomplish downtown, we think these changes make sense for the community,” said City Administrator Jim Bennett.

The new policy allows restaurants to put tables, chairs or benches in front of their business. They must be portable, identical in style and must give passing pedestrians at least 5 feet of sidewalk room.

Businesses can also put up temporary signs in front of their stores as long as they only advertise the store and its wares and are solid enough not to blow away.

“The intent was to let restaurants advertise their daily specials or stores say what they are selling that day,” said Gil Arsenault, deputy development director. “These are not intended to have corporate logos on them. They are meant to be simple.”

The policy would prevent businesses from putting actual merchandise out in front of their stores on a daily basis.

That’s a problem for Rick LaChappelle, owner of the Lewiston Pawn Shop at 379 Lisbon St. He regularly puts bicycles, snowblowers and other merchandise on the wide sidewalk in front of his store.

“It’s one of the little things that makes my business possible,” LaChappelle said. “It’s that little boost that I need to be able to pay my property taxes on time.”

His display violates current law, Bennett said, adding that the changes would allow merchants to display their goods for special events and festivals, but not daily.

Councilor Roger Philippon suggested the staff create a program that would allow certain merchants to put up displays. Bennett said staff would create something in time for the policy’s second reading, scheduled for July 15.

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