Preparing for phase two retail

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente says he is working on a plan with the state and other regions to suspend some zoning laws to allow retailers to expand outside in Phase 2.

Already trying to make plans for safe moves into phases two three and four... newschannel 2's jason powles is following that and the coronavirus numbers county by county...jay good evening.

Good evening kristen....oneida county executive anthony picente talked at length today about adding tools to help businesses recover.

He's calling it a restaurant and retail rescue plan.

According to picente....industry experts say 30-40 percent of restaurants could close if we cannot get them open over the next few weeks.

Picente says he is working on a plan with the state, local governments and law enforcement.

That plan would be a comprehensive codes and ordinance plan that would help cities towns and villages...to help restaurants and smaller retail shops.

Grant municipalities the opportunity to suspend local zoning laws to allow outdoor seating.

Also temporarily close roads to give restaurants expansion as well.

Many of our villages...have busy streets and road that go through them but our neighbors in other regions are closing lanes so business can expand out into the street....limited capacity inside, limited capacity outside... which then equals more capacity for those businesses to operate.

Picente says...it would give local municipalities the authority to manage open container laws...consistent with the needs of that community... he says they are also looking to the state to waive restaurant permitting provided they are supported by the local government jurisdiction.

Picente says it will expand the overall capacity of businesses.

To the numbers...and we have sad news to report, two more deaths d