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Sidewalk cafes appear to be coming to Hillside.

On Tuesday, the LaGrange City Council held a first reading on an ordinance that will allow sidewalk cafes in Hillside.

The potential change comes at the request from DASH, a neighborhood revitalization non-profit, which asked the city to allow sidewalk cafes similar to the ones allowed in the downtown area.

The ordinance would establish a zone in front of the businesses on Lincoln Street where alcohol consumption is allowed on the right of way.

Nate Crawford, Executive Director of DASH said the cafes in front would allow the businesses to set up outdoor dining in the front, noting the afternoon sun can be sweltering in the rear.

The businesses would be allowed to set up tables, chairs and umbrellas and allow patrons on-premises consumption of food and drinks, including alcohol.

The change would be limited to the sidewalk in front of two parcels on Lincoln Street where the city’s open container ordinance would not apply.

Businesses selling alcohol would still need to have a liquor license for on-premises consumption of alcohol in order to allow patrons to consume alcoholic beverages in the sidewalk cafes. They would also have to leave a minimum of six feet of free passage for pedestrians to pass through.

Crawford said that since the issue was first discussed at the previous council work session, DASH has not received any negative feedback on the proposal.

“The businesses don’t really face any residences on Lincoln Street,” Crawford said.

Community Development Director Alton West also did not note any negative feedback from the public.

The ordinance could come up for a vote as early as the Aug. 27 council meeting.