Manhattan Beach City Council Extends Temporary Outdoor Dining

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — After public outcry amid rising COVID-19 omicron variant cases in Los Angeles County, the Manhattan Beach City Council this week voted unanimously to extend its temporary outdoor dining program through the duration of the State Emergency Order.

The council reversed its decision Tuesday after residents and business owners were surprised by the decision earlier this month to stop the outdoor dining program in January.

The City Council also voted to increase its monthly fee from $1 to $3 per square foot for use of the temporary outdoor dining decks on the public street right-of-way. Additionally, the City Council directed staff to return in January 2022, to begin the discussion on exploring a long-term outdoor dining program.

“The safety of our community has always been our number one priority," Mayor Hildy Stern said

"In response to the rapidly changing increase in the spread of COVID-19 and its public health threats, it is appropriate to extend the outdoor dining program and continue providinga safer dining option for our community," Stern said.

The outdoor dining program was started in June 2020 and helped businesses stay open during COVID-19 restrictions.

In Manhattan Beach, 30 restaurants transformed public parking spaces and other public right-of-way directly in front of their businesses into al fresco dining.

"Due in large part to the challenges such as the residential quality of life impacts that resulted from the program and the need for street repairs and storm drain upkeep, the program was set to end January 3, 2022," the city said.

But the public didn't want to end the program and wanted outdoor dining. Several locals voiced their disagreement with the decision via the city's Facebook page.

"Why don't they keep them up while they figure out the long-term solution? So ridiculous," Nicole Burke wrote. "They will lose business and people will go to other cities for the outdoor dining. I truly think this is a horrible decision since the pandemic is far from over."

Some cited the ongoing pandemic as the main reason they want outdoor dining to continue in Manhattan Beach.

"My family will not eat at restaurants with no outdoor dining options," Marie Schwarzkopf-Olivas said.

People argued that outdoor dining is perfect for the beach and helpful for businesses to stay open.

"Outdoor dining should stay. Zero desire to eat indoors at the beach, especially while the pandemic continues," Selena Amara said.

In nearby Hermosa Beach, the city council voted this month to extend Hermosa Beach's temporary outdoor dining and retail program and its lane reconfiguration program to May 31, 2022.

"These temporary programs helped our businesses survive and kept our residents and visitors safe during the pandemic restrictions," Hermosa Beach Mayor Mike Detoy said.

"These projects also created a more walkable, bike-able and welcoming Downtown," Detoy said. "Our action Tuesday ensures that we will fully assess the impacts of the expanded outdoor operations for our local businesses and the lane configuration program on the City's traffic, parking and budget before determining whether to make these programs permanent and, if we do make them permanent, what other changes are needed to improve the programs."

Santa Monica also opted to continue its outdoor dining program, waiving fees for temporary use permits for outdoor dining and retail activations, including sidewalk dining, parklets, and the Promenade satellite through June 2022.

After pushback and an effort from locals to keep the outdoor dining, Manhattan Beach residents will continue to have outdoor dining in the new year.

"Pursuant to the City Council’s latest action, the program will now continue for the remainder of the State declared COVID-19 emergency in California," the city said. "In addition, scheduled street maintenance and fees for sidewalk dining will be discussed at future City Council meetings."

The city plans to consider a potential long-term outdoor dining program.

"City staff will conduct extensive community outreach and study its impacts including, but not limited to, traffic, congestion, parking, sanitation, and noise, as well as charging a market-rate fee for the outdoor dining areas on public property," according to the city.

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