Pacific Grove City Council approves extending curb by ten feet

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION) UPDATE June 22, 2023, at 7:21 p.m.- Wednesday night Pacific Grove City Council voted 5-2 to extend the curb 10 feet and drew out a new concept for parklets.

Wild Fish Owner, Liz Jacobs attended the Pacific Grove City Council meeting last night and said she was disappointed with the vote because she spent thousands of dollars to build her restaurant's parklet and she's worried it will be demolished. 

“I guarantee that when these are demolished… that, who's going to pay for that? I hope it's not us because we spend a lot to build it,” said Jacobs.” There is also the question of who's going to be rebuilding the parklets? It's going to cost over a million conservatively… I heard.”

Jacobs said she wanted the city of Pacific Grove to not extend the curb and to keep the parklets as they are. The City of Pacific Grove said before they extend the curb, they will present a plan of changes next year. 

Pacific Grove City Council to discuss future of parklets in a meeting

Parklets in Pacific Grove may soon look a little different.

On Wednesday, the council could decide to extend the curb by 10 feet submit a re-striping plan for parking spaces and parklets, or take other actions.

"I like sitting out here when I go to restaurants especially if it's a nice day, I like the view, especially in this corner I can see the ocean," said Liz Akinto, a Monterey County Resident.

What was once a way to bring more business to restaurants during the pandemic is now here to stay but the city wants to make some improvements.

Business owner and Chamber of Commerce member Liz Jacobs are hoping the city does not go with the curb extension recommendation as it might affect the dining experience at her restaurant.

"We would lose overhead shelter, I'm afraid there is going to be an issue, there is drizzle, there's sometimes very heavy sun, not often in pacific grove, but that does happen. So we love to be able to have this cover. we also it allows us to have heating," said Liz Jacobs, Commissioner of Economic Development/owner of Wildfish restaurant.

She says the restriping plan is a more convenient option. However, the city says they're concerned about several existing parklets on the lighthouse and fountain. This resulted in the potential plan to extend the curb.

"Re-stripe the street it would cost very little and we would preserve the park that says it is," said Jacobs.

Jacob went on to say parklets overall elevate the ambiance in Pacific Grove, said Liz Jacobs.

"Pacific Grove we are so lucky to have these charming, beautiful outdoor amenities and they have all the creature comforts and you know, it really contributes something to put us on the map and give us some vibrance."

The curb extension recommendation would cost about 35 thousand to 50 thousand dollars per parklet.
While the restriping recommendation would cost 11-thousand dollars.

The city is also considering extending its parklets committee to March of next year.