HIGHLAND | Langel's Pizza hopes to learn later this month if its proposal for sidewalk service flies with the town.

The general consensus during a Town Council study session last week was to approve an encroachment license to build a permanent structure to the front of its downtown restaurant at 2833 Highway Ave. The business's other half, Rodney's Bar, also occupies the same address.

The council is expected to take a vote Monday during its business meeting.

Owner Rodney Langel also needs a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals to use part of the sidewalk. The BZA is expected to take a vote at its July 25 meeting.

Part of the discussion centered on an idea of charging an annual fee to use the sidewalk. This idea sprouted from the possible renting of the vacant lot at the southeast corner of Highway and Kennedy avenues.

That lot is owned by the Redevelopment Commission, which is expected to vote Wednesday whether to rent the site to a new bar called Growler's that will soon open at 2816 Highway Ave. The lot sits next to the business, which would use it one day in August for a grand opening. The commission is thinking of charging between $500 and $1,000 for Growler's to use the lot.

That inspired the council's idea of charging Langel's to use the sidewalk for its proposed public sidewalk dining. "I think there should be a fee," Town Manager Richard Underkofler said.

After taking an unofficial poll, the councilmen determined that only two of them support the fee.