Long Beach moves forward with 'open streets' plan

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Councilman Joe Buscaino introduced a motion that would allow Los Angeles businesses to apply for temporary use of sidewalks, streets, parking lots and outdoor spaces for dining, exercise classes and more while practicing social distancing.

"As the state of California continues to slowly re-open, local governments must find creative ways to support our small businesses to retain jobs and create a new normal," Buscaino said. "Creatively repurposing our public spaces to accommodate more uses will both protect people's health, save jobs and save our local restaurants."

Buscaino said he has spent years advocating for the creation of a sidewalk dining program in Los Angeles, and the temporary use permit would expand those efforts.

As the county moves through its next phases of re-opening, Buscaino said the city is in a position to assist with the rebuilding of the restaurant industry by allowing temporary encroachments on the public right of way.

This will allow restaurants to use sidewalks and low-traffic streets as outdoor dining spaces and would give them the ability to maintain capacity while adhering to social distancing and other health and safety guidelines, the councilman said.

Restaurants are still barred from offering dine-in service due to continuing health restrictions prompted by the coronavirus.

The Long Beach City Council Tuesday night approved a similar proposal that would instruct city staff to develop plans for an "open streets initiative." The proposal calls for increased use of public spaces, including "creative opportunities for outdoor dining for restaurants and bars when state and local health orders permit."

According to a city staff report, opening up public spaces while health restrictions are in effect "will make it easier for people to move throughout the city and for businesses to survive, while ensuring the social distancing that will be necessary for the foreseeable future."