PORTLAND (AP) — Portland officials are trying to strike a balance between restaurants that want to offer outdoor dining to their customers and pedestrians who say the city’s sidewalks are clogged with tables.

City staff met last week with several restaurant owners to get feedback on proposed rule changes aimed at finding that balance.

Last year, 37 establishments were permitted to seat patrons outside.

That has led to complaints from wheelchair users, stroller-pushing parents and others who say restaurants are making passage difficult, especially when there’s a tree or bench in the area.

Current rules require four feet of space between an outdoor dining area and the curb. The city is proposing to extend that to five feet.

Restaurants owners tell the Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/11vf2mW ) they are willing to work with the city.