Solana Beach council members discuss terms of an outdoor dining ordinance

Outdoor dining became popular in Solana Beach during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now City Council members are trying to craft an ordinance that will allow restaurants to continue offering outdoor seating, while making sure it doesn’t interfere with other businesses. A temporary set of regulations that were put in place to help restaurants during the Covid-19 pandemic, when public health restrictions limited indoor business operations, is set to expire by the end of the year.

The council decided to postpone a vote on a proposed ordinance until the city addresses some of the concerns that other business owners have raised.

“What we have to do is to figure out how to do that in a manner that is both aesthetically pleasing, that improves the city, helps the businesses but doesn’t harm access to the beach or to other businesses as well,” Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner said during an Oct. 25 council meeting.

City Manager Greg Wade said that many of the communications from the public have been in support of keeping outdoor dining.

David Urich, a dentist in Solana Beach, said he would support the outdoor dining ordinance if he can keep three parking spaces in front of his office for his patients.

“I am all for progress, and I do not take issue with outdoor dining patios on public sidewalks, provided they do not impede or adversely affect pedestrian access or surrounding businesses,” Urich said.

Some of the other concerns that the city has, according to a city staff report, include making sure that outdoor dining areas are kept clean with regular trash and debris removal.

Ryan Jones, a Solana Beach resident and an owner of Pillbox Tavern, said outdoor dining helped support the business in the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was also a popular arrangement among customers, with some comparing it to France and other European countries that have long embraced sidewalk cafes and similar outdoor accommodations.

“These patios have been a godsend in so many ways,” Jones said.

The city of Solana Beach approved 33 temporary outdoor business permits, including 24 for restaurants. Nail salons and hair salons were also eligible for temporary permits that allowed them to operate outdoors, but have since moved all their services back indoors, according to city staff.

In addition to residents, many local restaurateurs have been supportive of allowing outdoor dining on a permanent basis.

“There are a lot of community benefits,” Solana Beach Deputy Mayor David Zito said.