The extension of the Open Streets Initiative was unanimously passed by the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday and will remain in effect until June 30, 2022.
The program allows businesses to have temporary parklets, outdoor dining spaces and Outdoor Activity Permits (OAP).
According to Public Works, the extension—which was slated to expire on Oct. 1—was requested due to the economic impacts from COVID-19 on small businesses and their employees.
“I am sure that countless businesses and individuals that this program has helped keep them from seeing significantly worse financial situations and possibly bankruptcy are extremely grateful for this opportunity,” Councilmember Suzie Price said.
However, an amendment was introduced to address noise and safety concerns from residents due to the close proximity of the parklets on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore to their homes.
Those residents took to the council chambers to voice their concerns which included issues with public urination, parking and sidewalk access.
“I feel like [the parklet] has brought the bar into my living room,” resident Katy Fahey said, noting that she has asked people smoking outside of her house to stop on numerous occasions.
Restaurant owners in attendance supported the extension in order to offer safe dining alternatives at a time where the Delta variant continues to spread.
Most pointed out that the program has helped them stay in business throughout the pandemic.
“It saved our business,” Jimmy Loizides, owner of George’s Greek Cafe, said. “I’m in support of parklets for Belmont Shore, but I’m also in support of policing it and making sure residents don’t feel about us as they do.”
Rebecca Hinderer, co-owner of Let’s Yolk About It, echoed Loizides’ sentiment. Hinderer also noted that the pandemic isn’t over and people don’t feel comfortable eating inside yet.
“My business was very empty inside this morning,” Hinderer said. “I had about a 15-minute wait for the parklets.”
A process will be created for residents to protest parklets that don’t meet the conditions of their permit and will be reviewed by staff.
Additionally, there will be a community meeting to address “ongoing concerns” over the number of temporary parklets along 2nd Street and their impact on parking and proximity to private residences, Diko Melkonian, deputy director of Public Works, said.
The meeting will serve to discern which business owners want to keep their parklets, who is abiding by permit requirements, which parklets are being used as intended, properly maintained and see if any parklets are encroaching on neighboring businesses.
According to Melkonian, parklets may be “reevaluated as needed.”
A date for the meeting has not been announced yet. A plan for the Belmont Shore parklets will need to make its way back to the council by December 31.
Representing District 3, Councilmember Suzie Price noted that Belmont Shore is an area with a business corridor in close proximity to many homes so the “impacts are felt at a much deeper level.”
The parklet program and outdoor space use was already extended once in May 2021 beyond its June 30, 2021 expiration date in order to help business owners who were impacted by the pandemic.
“We really need to make sure that we continue to look for creative opportunities to continue to save our businesses,” Councilmember Mary Zendejas said. “While at the same time providing for our residents as well.”
The next Long Beach City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Civic Chambers, 411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802.
