Awaiting a verdict on the future of outdoor-dining parklets from the Coastal Commission, Redondo Beach leaders discussed what may come next at the Oct. 19 city council meeting.
In July 2020, the Coastal Commission granted Redondo Beach permission to allow street dining decks in Riviera Village to occupy 75 metered parking spots.
The permit expires Dec. 31.
If an extension is granted, the city would need to adopt regulations to address stormwater runoff, dining deck construction standards, and the types of furniture to allow.
At last week’s council meeting, assistant city manager Mike Wizansky said the existing wooden barricades will “have to be re-tooled, at a minimum.”
Allen Sanford, owner of The Rockefeller gastropub, and President of Riviera Village Association, reported that second quarter sales tax revenue in the Village was the highest on record.
“People in Southern California like to eat outside. Duh. It only took a pandemic to make us realize that,” Sanford said.
Fewer parking spaces led to a discussion about parking meter revenue.
“If there’s demand, we ultimately get paid,” said Wizansky.
In pre-pandemic 2019, meter revenue in Riviera Village was $1.4 million. It fell in 2020, with stay-at-home regulations during the first half of the year. It then rebounded this year. Through mid-October the total collected is $1.1 million.
“It seems like 2021, without the 73 meters, is going to be relatively in line with where we were pre-Covid,” said Brandy Forbes, Redondo Beach community development director.
Part of the purpose of the Coastal Commission is to ensure access to the California coast.
The state agency has historically made accommodations for reduced parking, when paired with added bike racks and ride-sharing access.
“I will be very curious to see what other cities are doing,” Mayor Bill Brand said.
He pointed out that some dining parklets in Riviera Village are not being used and could again be made available for parking.
“Ideally, you want some type of answer from the Coastal Commission sooner rather than later,” said councilman Christian Horvath. ER
