TO: HARBOR COMMISSION
FROM: STEPHEN PROUD, WATERFRONT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE DRAFT WATERFRONT OUTDOOR DINING PERMIT PROGRAM FOR KING HARBOR
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recommendation
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Harbor Commission:
1) Receive and file the Administrative Report on the Waterfront Outdoor Dining Permit Program for King Harbor
2) Provide recommendations and appropriate direction regarding the draft Waterfront Outdoor Dining Permit Program.
BACKGROUND
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Los Angeles County Safer at Home Order limited local restaurants service to take-out or delivery options. On May 29, 2020, the State of California authorized a waiver that allowed the expansion of food service to outdoor seating areas operating within strict COVID-19 protocols. In response to the State waiver, the City of Redondo Beach initiated a Temporary Use Permit (“TUP”) process to allow restaurants to “utilize the privately-owned parking areas and outdoor spaces” as expanded service areas to accommodate appropriate social distancing and COVID-19 protocols associated with restaurant operations.
Although the TUP was initially designated for privately owned restaurants in the City, the program was expanded to the Pier to allow restaurants to utilize the public areas above the International Boardwalk, the “Pad 10” or former Octagon Building location, and limited locations adjacent to existing businesses. The TUP was intended to allow businesses to expand into public areas to offset the loss of indoor seating and to accommodate social distancing protocols. It was not intended to allow businesses to expand beyond their current indoor seating capacity, but rather to provide a larger footprint for existing capacity. In addition, the TUPs were expected to last for the duration of the local emergency declaration related to COVID-19 and once the declaration was lifted and the TUP expired - the area that is the subject of the TUP was expected to be returned to its previous operating condition.
By all accounts, the outdoor dining/TUP process at the Pier has been a success and has allowed many of our local restaurants to survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outdoor dining areas have become popular locations that allow patrons at the Pier to take advantage of the mild Southern California weather while enjoying a meal. In response to this popularity, several lessees at the Pier and throughout the Waterfront have requested the City consider options to create permanent outdoor dining at the Pier.
As a first step in this process, on May 10, 2021 staff presented to the Harbor Commission for discussion several options for continuing the outdoor dining program beyond the Emergency Orders. After some consideration, the Harbor Commission directed staff to begin working on shaping an outdoor dining program for King Harbor.
Attached herein, and for the Harbor Commission’s discussion and evaluation, Staff has drafted a Waterfront Outdoor Dining Permit Program (“Permit Program”). Although the Commission may provide recommendations on any portion of the Permit Program, Staff have specifically focused on ensuring the safety of pedestrians and visitors while also encouraging the creative expansion of existing restaurants into outdoor spaces.
The draft Permit Program packet provides information on design parameters, insurance requirements, and annual fees which have been set in accordance with the City’s existing Sidewalk Dining Program fee schedule. Generally, the draft Permit Program provides 10 equally sized outdoor dining spaces above the International Boardwalk, each measuring 15 ft by 48 ft. Permits are issued on an annual basis and distributed on a first come, first served basis. Applications to the Permit Program will be evaluated by the Waterfront and Economic Development, Community Development and Public Works departments to ensure compliance with all permit requirements and any regulatory and safety requirements.
Following the Commission’s input on the draft Permit Program, the Permit Program will be brought to the City Council for review and consideration for release. Following Council’s approval, Staff will assess current LA County COVID protocols and determine appropriate timing for implementation of the Permit Program.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Waterfront Outdoor Dining Permit Program Packet