State and local leaders consider making outdoor dining a permanent option
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) recently introduced a bill that would change alcohol rules for restaurants, bars and music venues, essentially allowing for permanent expanded outdoor dining and bar seating.
The bill would essentially make key pandemic emergency regulations for outdoor dining permanent and streamline the process to help restaurants and bars recover economically from the impacts of COVID-19.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, outdoor dining has become essential for local restaurants, as it's one of the few ways they can operate in Monterey County.
Local governments started to streamline the process for outdoor dining last year, but this accommodation could continue post-pandemic if legislation gets approved by the state.
“Some, it’s very easy, it’s on their property. For instance, at a vineyard based property, they can already operate outside, but for others that are in incorporated towns to be able to operate outside, especially on public right of way, is not legal now, except under emergency ABC regulations,” Kim Stemler with the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association said.
Stemler said this pandemic-era experiment is one of the things that works.
“As we think about how we recover from COVID and how we move forward, there are some of these bright lights that we really need to think about how to maintain,” Wendy Root Askew, Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew said.
The bill would authorize local governments to allow the consumption of alcohol in commercial zones, including open containers.
Stemler doesn’t anticipate there being much push back on the state level since local governments will have discretion.
“It just adds a vibrancy to our communities to our counties; to me, that is much needed in terms of economic development and for all of us locals that get to dine and wine outside. It will be an asset,” Stemler said.
The bill would also expedite the approval and issuance of alcohol licenses.
Carmel-By-The-Sea is one city that is discussing what it would take to keep parklets and sidewalk dining going more longterm. At an ad hoc committee meeting Monday afternoon, the committee and public expressed an interest in figuring out how to solve problems with parking, decide permitting fees and set regulations if the city allows outdoor dining of this kind to continue post-pandemic.
The committee plans to resume discussions next week.
