Long Beach City Council unanimously approved the first two permanent parklets in the city since the pandemic, following months of ordinance changes and divided views among residents.
The first parklet granted to a bar in the Zaferia neighborhood was met with applause and support from residents, while the parklet approved to a bar and tavern in Belmont Shore was met with split advocates, opposition and questions from council in a much more tense conversation.
The proceedings offered a glimpse into what lays ahead for Long Beach’s permanent parklet process: varied support depending on parking availability, neighborhoods and surrounding businesses.
At its height, Long Beach’s temporary parklet program allowed 112 businesses to hold outside gatherings. The program slowly dwindled through 2022, and the City took the last year to refine its parklet ordinance, guidelines and process of applying.
Businesses now have to get approval from the Planning Commission, pay $2,000 for application fees to the Public Works Department and reapply for parklet permits annually. Both hearings had to go in front of the Long Beach City Council since there was a formal letter of opposition sent to the Planning Commission regarding them.
A Pleasant Parklet Process
Supply & Demand, a bar in the Zaferia neighborhood that opened months before the pandemic, was the first permanent parklet application of the evening. The spot is known for its live music scene, bringing in tens of artists from around the world each month to a neighborhood that holds events such as the Happy Sundays music festival.
The parklet will take up two parking spots outside of the bar, and patrons will be allowed to drink alcohol in the parklet area.
Every resident that spoke during the hearing for Supply & Demand said that the bar has made the corner of Stanley Avenue and Anaheim Street safer at night with more people coming in and walking around the neighborhood.
Resident Senay Kenfe added that Supply & Demand’s ability to increase foot traffic helps the legacy businesses along the same corridor, such as Joe Jost’s and Alex’s Bar.
“The ability of Supply & Demand to be a presence here not just brings new faces and feet into the space, but is also pouring life into a corridor that deserves a little more attention,” Kenfe said.
Erica Norton, co-owner of the bar said that since they had to take down their temporary parklet, they’ve seen a 30% loss of business, and said the parklet would be “instrumental” for them to stay in business.
“My goal is to keep a thriving business in that area, and to invite other businesses to open up and feel safe in that area,” Norton said.
Resident Leslie Colter said she lives on the same street as the bar and felt safer walking at night when the parklets were up.
“I really believe this business represents an opportunity for that corridor to turn a corner,” said Councilmember Al Austin. “If any business deserves a parklet, and we have to be discretionary and take them on a case by case basis obviously, but Supply & Demand is one of them.”
No residents spoke in opposition to the parklet, even though a letter of opposition was sent and prompted the hearing. The crowd cheered for the owners when the City Council gave its unanimous approval.
A Disharmonious Hearing
While Zaferia neighborhood residents expressed their gratitude for a local business expanding into the outdoors, Belmont Shore residents were largely split for the Legends Sports Bar parklet hearing.
Legends has been operating in Belmont Shore since 1979, making it one of the neighborhood’s oldest establishments, and one of the first sports bars to use satellite technology to live broadcast games. The bar had a temporary parklet up from May 2020 to January 2023, when most establishments had to take down their parklets.
The bar applied for a parklet that will take up two parking spaces, in what residents and the city of Long Beach have deemed a “parking-impacted” area. Residents submitted 23 letters of opposition to the parklet, gathered over 700 signatures for a petition against parklets in the area and formed the Parking, Not Parklets group to oppose all parklets along Second Street.
According to the group’s website, another restaurant across the street from Legends is set to go in front of council for a hearing on their parklet application, while six other restaurants/bars are in the application process.
Twenty residents spoke during public comment on the Legends parklet hearing, with 12 against the parklet and eight in support of the parklet.
Residents against the permanent parklet all cited parking woes as their source of opposition.
Estelle Taheedor, Belmont Shore resident, said that she’s already forced to park over a block away from her home due to the increase of Accessory Dwelling Units and a popular Airbnb rental, which she believes will only be exacerbated by parklets along Second Street.
Councilmember Kristina Duggan asked that city staff identify a cap on how many parking spots the city will allow to be replaced by parklets; something that the city began exploring in 2022 but never decided on a number.
Some residents said they would be more open to permanent parklets if the City would conduct more studies on residential and parking impacts.
“We live in a beach town in Southern California. Any beach town in Southern California, there’s going to be inconveniences with parking. You can’t have it both ways,” said Belmont Shore resident Greg Costello in support of the parklet.
A few residents said it was wrong to give public space (parking spaces) away to private businesses, to which Duggan cited the recent sidewalk vending ordinance, which allows vendors to operate in public spaces.
Public Works Director Eric Lopez clarified that businesses can’t encroach on sidewalks and must leave open space for residents to travel through. If a business isn’t complying with the regulations, Lopez said they’re subject to fines and if necessary, will have their parklets removed.
Two residents who own businesses on Second Street expressed concern that by removing parking spaces, they risked losing customers.
The Long Beach City Council approved Legends parklet 8-0, with Cindy Allen recusing herself for the hearing.
Related Reading:
