Carmel-by-the-Sea to explore outdoor dining plan

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 5/12/20 9:58 p.m. - Carmel-by-the-Sea gives the green light to explore a plan to close a section of Dolores Street for outside dining, as in-restaurant dining remains closed because of the Shelter-in-Place order.

KION is told the City Council unanimously decided to move forward with developing the idea. Mayor Dave Potter says they need to develop concrete operating details, like who will be cleaning the streets, which will then be brought back to the council.

The City Council would later vote to approve or deny the project.

Potter says he will be doing outreach with area restaurants to design a plan for Dolores Street, along with the possibility of sidewalk dining at other locations.

We're told the latest the plan will comeback to the council is their June 2nd meeting.

KION changed a previous headline and version of the story to better clarify the current state of the project.

INITIAL REPORT:

News of outdoor dining potentially opening up in Carmel-by-the-Sea has residents feeling excited.

"It's a great idea and has a great origin," said Laura Ansley.

Mayor Dave Potter plans to discuss the idea at a city council meeting Tuesday evening. Potter is proposing that one block of Dolores Street be reserved for outdoor, take-out dining while following social distancing guidelines.

"Every single time an event happens it is on Dolores Street," said owner of Pangea Grill, Mira Porges.

Porges has had success offering curbside pick-up at her Ocean Avenue business, but said she and other business owners won't get the same benefit from the city's plan as restaurants located right next door.

"People draw people. People want to go out where people are, especially when people do not know this area. They're looking for the restaurant that has the most people," said Porges.

Last week, Potter told KION that dining tables and chairs would be open for all restaurants to take advantage of.

Porges thinks the city's idea is a start, but could make an even bigger impact if a different block of downtown was featured every week.

"We're all dealing with problems right now. It would be nice, especially during this time, that we share and it isn't specific to just one place," said Porges.

The plan needs a majority vote from the City Council to move forward.