Some Pandemic-Era Restaurant Measures Could Become Permanent

The City Council is scheduled to consider amendments to the zoning code that would codify pandemic-era measures for restaurants, including walk-up windows by right, an Administrative Conditional Use Permit process for the on-site sale of alcohol, and outdoor dining on private parking lots and plazas.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City implemented several temporary measures to assist local restaurants and the local economy. Three of these measures were successful enough to be formally proposed for addition to the Zoning Code,” according to a City staff report.

In Economic Development & Technology Committee voted to recommend the City Council codify the three pandemic-era measures in May.

The amendments would streamline the review process.

Prior to the pandemic, the process for the required Conditional Use Permits for a walk-up window and alcohol sales took four to six months.

The amendments would allow outdoor dining in parking areas up to 50 percent of the restaurant’s existing indoor dining area, including any bar area up to 500 square feet. Any usage above the 50% or 500 square feet would require new or replacement on-site or off-site parking.

Outdoor dining allowed local restaurants to continue operating and even flourishing in some cases during the pandemic.

City staff is recommending outdoor dining be continued on private property at new and existing restaurants.

Since June 2020 Pasadena has issued nearly 50 outdoor dining permits, 29 of which were issued for parking lot dining, as opposed to areas like plazas or courtyards.