San Carlos' Outdoor Dining Program To Remain Through August

SAN CARLOS, CA — San Carlos’ outdoor dining program will continue through at least the end of August, the city council decided on Monday, rejecting a staff proposal that would have terminated the program in June.

According to Climate Magazine, the council formed a subcommittee and asked for a review of concerns brought forth about people not complying with COVID-19 restrictions and other issues related to the closure of Laurel Street.

Many cities launched similar programs during 2020 in response to the pandemic, allowing restaurants more room to seat outdoor diners and spread out to encourage social distancing. Ironically, the staff report stated that the program in San Carlos was “immensely popular and has drawn large crowds to the Downtown, making proper social distancing and enforcement extremely difficult."

The council also expressed an interest in a permanent of Laurel Street as part of a future downtown vision.

Read more in Climate Magazine here.