Pasadena City Council Considers New Rules for Outdoor Dining – Pasadena Now

In a move that could shape Pasadena’s dining landscape for some time, the City Council is set to deliberate new outdoor dining regulations on Monday, July 15. A public hearing notice released by the city says the proposed changes, which include expanded seating and streamlining liquor licenses, are intended to codify pandemic-era measures that have buoyed local restaurants.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Pasadena City Hall Council Chambers. The amendments to the city’s zoning code would codify the permitting of ATMs in restaurants and create an administrative conditional use permit process for on-site alcohol sales, according to the notice.

In a Facebook post, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce called attention to the action: “Attention restaurateurs: City Council will review outdoor dining regulations on Monday, July 15.”

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has played a role in supporting local businesses and ensuring that the outdoor dining program enhances the economic vitality of Pasadena’s commercial areas.

Paul Little, the chamber’s president and CEO, has been a strong advocate for codifying temporary outdoor dining measures established during the pandemic.

On Monday, the City Council will also consider allowing outdoor dining on private property, such as parking lots and plazas. The measure builds on the Dine Out Pasadena program, which was launched to help restaurants increase outdoor seating capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed regulations have already received support from key city agencies. Last April, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the amendments with changes including expanding the definition of takeout to include beverage service and requiring a minor CUP for dining in parking lots within 50 feet of residential areas in most zones.

The City Council’s Economic and Technology Development Committee voted May 21 to recommend approval of the proposed zoning code amendments as presented by the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Funding for the initiative has been secured, with the city securing $1.5 million in federal funds to support the Dine Out Pasadena program. That money will be jointly administered by the Pasadena Community Foundation and the Playhouse Village Association.

As the upcoming meeting is crucial for local restaurateurs, the city encourages all interested parties to attend the public hearing or send their comments and contributions by email to [email protected] before the meeting.

For more information, call the Community Planning and Development Department at (626) 744-6766 or email [email protected].