Benicia Streamlines Process For Businesses To Operate Outdoors

BENICIA, CA — The city of Benicia's first "parklet"— in-street dining formed by using safety barricades to section off parking stalls — has been installed in front of Rookies Sports Bar & Grill on First Street, city officials said in a news release Thursday.

Any restaurant interested in a parklet of their own should complete the Temporary COVID-19 Outdoor Activities and Encroachment Agreement or reach out to the city manager, according to the news release.

There is no cost associated with completing the agreement form and making the request, the city said.

On July 13, when California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an order shutting indoor operations for many businesses in 30 California counties on the County Monitoring List, it included Solano County.

The order applied to the operations of fitness centers, places of worship, offices for non-essential sectors, malls and personal care services including nail salons, spas, body waxing and tattoo parlors, hair salons and barbershops.

In response, Benicia's city manager and city staff worked to streamline the process for a broader range of businesses and organizations to apply to operate outdoors on a city sidewalk, private parking lot, adjacent lot or curbside.

"The updates to the order make it easier for businesses and organizations to move their operations outdoors so that they can weather the latest closure order and remain in business to provide important services to our community," City Manager Lorie Tinfow said. "I encourage business to complete the short application or reach out to me to start the process. Permits have already been used for outdoor religious services, tae kwon do classes and outdoor dining. We expect to see many more applications that we will review and process quickly."

The city's Temporary COVID-19 Outdoor Activities and Encroachment Agreement was updated to allow personal services such as hair and nail salons to move outdoors when complying with their state licensing. It also includes provisions to allow for religious institutions, schools, child care and other public and private entities, in addition to restaurants, restaurants with alcohol service, and retail to move outdoors.

The city of Benicia said it encourages the support of Benicia restaurants and has provided several options to facilitate outdoor dining.

"Residents and visitors can take advantage of picnic tables installed in St. Paul’s Square at First and J streets, in addition to tables installed at the bottom of First Street near the turnaround," the city said. "For picnickers, distancing circles are marked on the First Street Green at First and B streets."

To take advantage of the Outdoor Activities and Encroachment Agreement, business owners should complete the forms beginning on page 5 of the order and submit it to the City Manager by email at ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us, or by calling her office at 707-746-4200.

Solano County has a warm line to answer questions about COVID-19, including questions about whether a business or activity is permitted to be open. Call 707-784-8988 or email covid19@solanocounty.com, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The City of Benicia also has a community services phone line for questions or concerns; call 707-746-4285 or email pcs@ci.benicia.ca.us.