Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Outdoor Dining Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
La Verne council extends Cafe Wong’s street patio while ordering citywide outdoor-dining policy
Summary
After hours of public comment and council debate about parking, safety and economic impacts, the La Verne City Council extended Cafe Wong’s outdoor patio encroachment through June 30, 2025, and directed staff to draft a citywide outdoor-dining policy and negotiate interim insurance/lease terms.
La Verne’s City Council voted to extend Cafe Wong’s expanded street patio through June 30, 2025, and asked staff to prepare a uniform outdoor-dining policy and interim agreements that include insurance and lease terms.
Community Development Director Eric Shearer reviewed the patio’s history, noting temporary pandemic-era approvals in 2020 and a later built-out, raised patio that generated complaints from some nearby business owners and residents. Shearer said the Old Town advisory board had at one point recommended removal, later voted to allow the patio to remain through the end of the calendar year, and recommended staff work with council on next steps.
During public comment, speakers were sharply divided. Hal Frederickson, a former planning professional and longtime resident, urged a two-year extension to protect the restaurant and preserve Old Town activity, saying the patio accounts for “approximately 20–25% of the restaurant’s patronage” in warm months. Cafe owners and supporters — including a petition and letters submitted to the council — described the patio as a revenue lifeline amid inflation and staffing pressures and highlighted live music and community events that draw customers.
Opposing speakers, including nearby business owners and property owners, said the three parking spaces removed for the patio reduce short-term parking availability for customers (some cited the spaces’ 90‑minute turnover) and raised safety and aesthetics concerns. One building owner said the patio is rarely used except on weekend nights and urged removal before winter.
Council members stressed the need for a uniform policy and fair treatment across Old Town. Several members said the city needs clearer records (leases, insurance) and equitable fees tied to square footage for any encroachments. Councilmember Crosby moved to extend the patio until June 30, 2025, and to direct staff to draft an outdoor-dining policy (including insurance and per-square-foot lease terms) with a policy draft due for review early next year. The motion passed 4–0 with one member absent.
Council also instructed staff to negotiate an interim agreement with Cafe Wong to ensure required insurance and to survey other encroachments so the city can treat businesses consistently while it develops the permanent ordinance and procedures.
Next steps: staff will draft a policy for council review (staff suggested a January target for a policy draft) and will return the patio’s status for council reconsideration in mid‑2025 after policy work is complete and the city evaluates early patterns related to the new regional rail (the A Line).
