Are Woodlands downtown parklets here to stay?
Outdoor dining, whether you like it or hate it, has become the norm in the last year and recent reopenings have raised questions about parklets and whether they are still needed. Stephanie Burgos, marketing and business relations specialist for the city of Woodland, said that parklets are on a temporary permit that expires 30-60 days after the emergency order regarding the COVID-19 pandemic has been lifted. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would not be lifting the emergency order on June 15 because the disease has not been extinguished, according to CalMatters. Burgos said that the decision to lift the local emergency order will go to Yolo County once Newsom lifts the statewide emergency order. It has to go to the county, so we are waiting to hear from them to announce something before we make our move, Burgos explained. Parklets  small seating areas constructed on or near sidewalks  have been helpful to many businesses in Woodland because they allowed restaurants to provide a comfortable space. Burgos said that there will be meetings to determine how important or crucial the parklets have been to businesses in Woodland. The whole reason parklets were created was to save business, Burgos said. Burgos explained that some actions taken might be scaling back the sizes of the parklets. Some parklets currently take up to three parking spaces, so a scale back might mean reducing the size of the parklets to only taking up two parking spaces. Woodland resident Joshua Freeman noted that he hasnt had a problem finding parking when going downtown because of the parklets. If I was coming down here and never being able to park, it might bother me, but I havent had that problem so far, he said. Freeman said he doesnt feel comfortable eating in restaurants yet and enjoys being able to eat at parklets because its safer than having to eat inside. Ive eaten at restaurants maybe two or three times the entire time, and Ive had the vaccine, but its not fully effective, Freeman explained. Its nice to be outside and not have to worry about COVID.  Freeman mentioned that another reason he enjoys parklets is because it allows him to bring his dog, Lola, wherever he chooses to eat. I actually will look for restaurants that have outdoor seating both because of COVID and because of the dog, Freeman said. House of Shah owner Selymon Shahsamand said he wants to keep the parklets permanently because theyve been very good for the city and its businesses. It added real estate we didnt have before, Shahsamand emphasized. It gave businesses that extra space they needed during the pandemic.  He said that even though House of Shah and nextdoor restaurant Las Milpas paid for the parklet together, hes seen community members coming from other restaurants or coffee shops sit down to enjoy the shade in the parklets while eating or taking a break from a walk. I think every business has seen that its added to a positive vibe in the community, he said. Shahsamand said he hopes Woodland continues to allow businesses to use these spaces for parklets. Jim Hill, a San Jose resident visiting family in Woodland, said he enjoys the freedom parklets provide because they allow him to get food from restaurants every once in a while. Its nice to be outdoors when the weather permits, especially because of the pandemic, he said. Hill said he usually preferred eating inside prior to the pandemic, except on nice evenings, but believes having parklets is still necessary because of the pandemic. The current rules and regulations for a temporary outdoor dining/use permit state that permits are valid until the local COVID-19 emergency is terminated or if a permanent/long-term outdoor use permit is adopted by the city. The agreement states that the city has the right to terminate any permit at an earlier date if applicants are non-compliant with its requirements. Some of these requirements include making parklets accessible to people with disabilities, following alcohol and beverage control regulations, adhering to all sanitation and social distancing guidelines outlined in Californias COVID-19 restaurant guidelines and waste management. All of life is a compromise, Hill stated. If they can compensate with nearby parking, Im all for keeping it.