Moving on from a COVID trend: Placer County city removes downtown outdoor dining spaces

As other cities in the region double down on outdoor dining, Roseville removed its temporary outdoor dining decks from its downtown corridor last week.

The decks — which were installed last year to help restaurants that were prohibited from serving indoors — were removed from the public right-of-ways now that restaurants are allowed to open at normal indoor capacity, the city said in a statement.

“This was a creative solution to keep businesses open,” a city spokesperson said in an email. “We’re working closely with businesses on more permanent solutions if they wish to add seating that encroaches into the public right-of-way.”

The decision comes on the heels of neighboring Rocklin’s decision to institute a permanent, expedited permitting process for restaurants that want to maintain their outdoor dining infrastructure.

Rocklin’s City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to reduce regulations and create a permit process for temporary outdoor structures at restaurants and bars. The ordinance is aimed at helping business owners preserve their outdoor dining infrastructure and expand business while still keeping public health guidance in mind, according to meeting documents.

Roseville officials said they are working with restaurants and businesses on developing more permanent structures if they want to add seating that encroaches on public sidewalks.

“Businesses that expanded outdoor dining within a privately owned property are unaffected by the Downtown and Old Town deck removal, and may continue with permission of their property owner,” a city spokesperson said.

Anthony Orso, bar manager of Goose Port Public House on Vernon Street, said the outdoor patios are important for restaurants struggling to get back to pre-lockdown levels of business.

“In my opinion, I think they should keep (the decks) up and not get rid of them because some restaurants don’t have that much space inside, so having the patio allows them to seat more people and get back on their feet,” he said.

“Without those outside patios, it doesn’t hurt you but it will take longer to recoup and get back to where you were before the pandemic,” he added.

Orso said two nearby parking garages provide ample parking for those wishing to patronize downtown businesses, so removing the decks wasn’t necessary to allow for more parking.

Despite public health orders no longer limiting indoor dining capacity, restaurants in Downtown Roseville have still not returned to normal operating hours.

“There’s a lot of restaurants that have to close on slower days because you don’t get as much foot traffic,” Orso said. “Having the extra seating really helps.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2021 at 5:00 AM.