Pasadena City Council to Consider New Outdoor Dining Rules – Pasadena Now

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

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Pasadena City Hall Council Chambers. These modifications to the city’s zoning code will codify the law allowing walk-up windows in restaurants and create an Administrative Conditional Use Permit process for on-premises alcohol sales, according to the notice.

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce brought attention to the action, writing on Facebook: “Attention restaurateurs: City Council will consider outdoor dining regulations on Monday, July 15.”

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

Paul Little, president and CEO of the Chamber, has been actively advocating for codification of the temporary outdoor dining measures put in place during the pandemic.

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

The proposed regulations have already garnered support from key city bodies. Last April, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the amendments with modifications, including expanding the definition of walk-up windows to include beverage service and requiring Minor CUPs for food in parking lots within 50 feet of residential areas in most zones.

The City Council’s Economic Development and Technology Committee voted May 21 to recommend approval of proposed changes to the Zoning Code submitted by the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Funding for the initiative has been secured, with the city securing $1.5 million in federal funding to support Dine Out Pasadena, which will be co-administered by the Pasadena Community Foundation and the Playhouse Village Association.

Because the upcoming meeting is a key one for local restaurateurs, the City encourages all interested parties to attend the public hearing or send their comments and concerns to: [email protected] before meeting.

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