City Committee to Meet Today, Lay Out Guidelines That Would Aid Restaurants

At a 10 a.m. meeting on Thursday, May 28, the Economic Development and Technology Committee will lay out city guidelines aimed at helping the city’s ailing restaurants once they are allowed to do business.

“I commend city staff for working diligently to pull together a comprehensive set of guidelines since EDTECH met one week ago,” said committee chair Councilmember Victor Gordo.

Guidelines were also released for retail and office buildings to reopen.

According to documents received by Pasadena Now on Wednesday night, the city will temporarily suspend public hearings and public noticing required for sidewalk dining.

Municipal codes will also be suspended that prohibit dining in parking lots.

The city will also suspend several fees, including fees related to sidewalk dining, the city’s business license tax, banners/temporary sign permit, fire inspections, food sanitation inspections and permits for restaurants, environmental Health plan check and inspection fees for restaurants and the zoning parking credit program fee in Old Pasadena and South Lake.

Last week, committee members encouraged the streamlining of any permitting process associated with any reopening, including alcohol Conditional Use Permits and signage.

The committee also discussed the idea of closing Colorado Boulevard. in Old Pasadena, either partially or completely, to allow businesses with limited indoor space take advantage of sidewalks and the area reserved for curbside parking, an idea first pushed by former restaurateur Robin Salzer.

Pasadena restaurants have suffered devastating financial losses after “Safer at Home” order resulted in closed dining rooms. For some, income has dropped by 90 percent, propped up only by curbside and delivery food service, according to published reports.

Restaurants, large gatherings and schools are just about the last items that Gov. Gavin Newsom has not issued reopening guidelines on.

Since Monday, Newsom has issued guidelines for reopening churches and retail businesses. Newsom also laid the groundwork for hair and nail salons and barbers, but so far those businesses are still prohibited from operating in Pasadena.

On Wednesday the city reported no new deaths from the Coronavirus, but local cases have reached 900.

Meanwhile, California became the fourth state in the nation with 100,000 coronavirus cases

Last week state officials denied the city a variance that would have allowed city officials to open the city at their own pace, instead of remaining on the county schedule.

“I look forward to input from residents and business operators beginning at tomorrow’s EDTech meeting so we can continue in the direction of putting Pasadena residents safely back to work,” Gordo said.

To view the meeting, visit: http://pasadena.granicus.com/mediaplayer.php?camera_id=2&publish_id=9