Carpinteria temporary parklet program goes for an extension into mid-2024

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – The temporary outside dining rules in Carpinteria could be extended and that's welcomed by businesses that have seen the difference by adding parklets.

The parklets come with design guidelines and reviews by city committees.

Overall, Carpinteria has seen how well they work from the point of COVID-19, when they first appeared, to the present time.

Business owners said many customers choose the outside seating first, before they go with indoor seating.

Little Dom's Restaurant General Manager Justin Fitzgerald said, "the outside, the weather, the palm trees to highlight that has been super beneficial  to the businesses. People love coming enjoying all of those things so I think it has been great. I think it is something I'd like to keep."       

Street dining has been considered safe in Carpinteria with barricades up around the dining locations, but also because the streets have a speed limit of 25 miles-per-hour and below.

Some businesses side-by-side can also work together to share the outside areas and be in compliance with the ordinance.

"It seems like Covid changes a lot of things and a lot of those changes that is going to be with us and maybe this is one of the changes we will always have now," said, Carpinteria resident Gordon Gil.

Taking a look at what is in the town now while visiting, Tim Kozusko said, "this is absolutely fabulous traveling in Europe. This is all you see and it's wonderful to meet people and sit outside and hold a conversation."

When he found out there could be design changes, he said, "Isn't it funny that people can sit outside not knowing that they are still not permanent yet."

The Carpinteria City Council has an agenda item on this parklet issue for tonight's meeting starting at 5:30 p.m.

Fitzgerald said, "for the most part businesses and the city have been on the same page and I am hoping we are staying in that same lane."