In the spring of 2020, Carmel parklets sprung up on our streets in response to restrictions to eating inside restaurants during the pandemic. Dining indoors at restaurants is widely reported to be a dangerous activity in regards to spreading COVID-19. “Reopening full-service restaurants has the largest predicted impact on infections, due to the large number of restaurants as well as their high visit densities and long dwell times.” Stanford/Northwestern study published in Nature November 10, 2020

Further, removing PPE, sitting face-to-face or near strangers for long periods, and touching contaminated surfaces before touching eyes, nose, or mouth increases the likelihood of contracting COVID-19.

Nonetheless, the parklet solution operates on the premise that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is greatly reduced if customers and staff are outside in the open air. The City of Carmel responded to California State restrictions by allowing restaurants and wine tasting rooms to move their operations outside into the public right-of-way temporarily. The most common response has been the parklet–repurposing parking spaces near the restaurant or wine tasting operation as dining rooms. Many eateries have also placed tables and chairs in the sidewalk.

As California advances towards allowing commercial activities back indoors, there has been some discussion about allowing the restaurant tables and chairs to remain in the public right-of-way. The logic is unclear except that some restaurant operators see an opportunity to increase their seating outdoors.

Members of Carmel’s City Council have formed an ad-hoc committee of business owners and residents to discuss the pros and cons of such an idea. Due to safety precautions required during the pandemic, the meetings are held via online portal. This can be a challenge for many stakeholders, so the City has asked for more input from the community. This is where you can help.

Do you think the parklets enhance or distract from the charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Do think it’s fair that only one type of business is allowed to operate on public streets and sidewalks? Should all businesses have the same opportunity?

Before the pandemic restrictions, Carmel had nearly 30 restaurants with outdoor seating. Do you feel we need more?

The restaurants are using public space as their dining room during pandemic restrictions. If they continue to use public space after restrictions are lifted, what should their arrangement with the City be? Purchase? Rent?

I am concerned that permanent dining on public property violates the standards and traditions of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I urge the City to return parking spaces and sidewalks to the residents and visitors who want to patronize all businesses in Carmel.