I was at Thursday’s press conference hoping to hear an update on one specific thing: parklets. Instead, I got a rundown of Chula Vista’s Outdoor Dining Ordinance, a proposal that would make it easier for restaurants and small businesses to put a table and a few chairs out front. Parklets never came up, dang.
What the Outdoor Dining Ordinance Actually Covers
The proposal calls for amendments to the city’s current ordinance, making it easier for restaurants, cafes, and other businesses to set up tables, seating, and service areas right outside their doors. Mayor John McCann is leading the push, aiming to boost economic activity and give some of our busiest commercial corridors a fresh look. It is worth being clear about the scope here. This is not a program to bring back parklets, those small platforms that used to extend seating into the street. What is on the table is much simpler: helping a small business put out a table and a few chairs in the space they already have out front.
The Parklet Question Nobody Answered
Many people in this community, myself included, have been hoping to see parklets return to Third Avenue. They gave restaurants real breathing room during the years we needed it most, and plenty of folks would love to see that option back on the table. So when I sat down at Thursday’s press conference, that was the question I wanted answered. It never came up. This ordinance, at least as it stands right now, does not address parklets at all.
Why Third Avenue Has the Most to Gain
Even without parklets, Third Avenue still stands to benefit most from this change. With such a dense mix of restaurants, shops, and small businesses packed into downtown, this stretch is already the heartbeat of our local economy and social scene. Letting more of these businesses set up outdoor tables could make the sidewalks feel more inviting, and more inviting sidewalks tend to bring more foot traffic, which is good news for every storefront nearby, not just the restaurants.
A Mayor Pushing Alone
Here is the part that stood out to me most at the press conference. This ordinance is clearly Mayor McCann’s initiative, and from what I could tell, he is the one carrying it. It did not sound like the rest of the city council shares his enthusiasm. I am not convinced this passes as written, and I would not be surprised if it gets pushed back, reworked, or voted down entirely.
The city council is set to vote on the Outdoor Dining Ordinance in two weeks. That vote will decide whether these changes move forward at all, and given what I heard on Thursday, it is not a sure thing. If it does pass, expect small businesses along our commercial corridors to get a straightforward path to more outdoor seating. If it does not, we will likely be back here again with another version of this conversation.
Keep an Eye on This One
This is exactly the kind of local policy that could shape how downtown Chula Vista looks and feels, and I will be watching the council vote closely. In the meantime, check the CVL event calendar for what is happening around town, and follow along on Instagram and Facebook at @livingchulavista so you never miss an update.
