CF 20-0499   AT CITY COUNCIL 01/12/2021  Adopted, (14); Absent: Harris-Dawson (1)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to changes to streamline City processes affecting the Food and Beverage Industry.

Recommendations for Council action:

INSTRUCT the Bureau of Engineering (BOE) to evaluate and report on the following possible changes in operations generated from the Food and Beverage Working Group discussions:
Coordinate with other City departments, as appropriate, and to report to Mayor and Council with options available to streamline the process of permitting sidewalk dining, including the potential for the City to adopt the streamlined Al Fresco permit process model, including implementing a fee for program cost recovery.

Work with the City Attorney’s Office to assess whether the current liability waiver and insurance requirements address liability concerns.

INSTRUCT the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to evaluate and report on the fiscal impact of extending the Food Pick-up Zone Program indefinitely.

REQUEST that the Los Angeles Police Commission evaluate and consider accepting and processing live music and/or dancing permit applications concurrently with the building permit process.

INSTRUCT the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to evaluate and report on the following possible changes in operations generated from the Food and Beverage Working Group discussions:

Consider requiring employee email signatures to include a statement of the LADBS’ current response policy (up to 2 business days), regular days off, and supervisor contact information and to list availability of virtual meetings for plan check until normal in-person plan check procedures are resumed.
Consider implementing a procedure at the plan check submittal phase for staff to advise applicants when plans will need to be reviewed by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Consider implementing a procedure at the plan check submittal phase for staff to alert applicants of their eligibility to apply to the Restaurant and Small Business Express Program.
Consider the effectiveness and constraints of potential implementation of Self-Certification of simple projects, including tenant improvements and small new construction projects, similar to current standards utilized in Chicago, New York, and, locally, Bellflower.

INSTRUCT the Department of City Planning (DCP) to evaluate and report on the following possible changes in operations generated from the Food and Beverage Working Group discussions:

Consider continuing to offer applicants the drop-off option for entitlement case filing at the Development Services Center, post COVID-19 emergency operations process.
Consider the continuation of providing building permit clearance when the entitlement case (generally Conditional Use Beverage [CUB]) has no bearing or impact on physical construction.
Consider a revision to the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 12.03 of the zoning code to eliminate the limitation on outside dining area floor area and location.
Consider thresholds to allow minor redesigns and deviations for valid CUB and CUX entitlements without requiring a discretionary Plan Approval process, including minor deviations related to ‘mode and character’ that would generally be less impactful than the existing operation.
Consider the effectiveness and constraints of the suspension of minimum parking requirements for Food Service Establishments during a local emergency as referenced in Article 6 of the LAMC, in line with current code amendment efforts.
Consider suspending both the enforcement and implementation of any parking-related conditions in CUB entitlements (i.e. off-site leases, valet service, etc.).
Consider continuing to allow sales of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption, as long as the State continues to allow sales for offsite consumption.
Consider the necessity and/or benefits of extending all expiring conditional use permits for a period of up to 36 months after the expiration of the Coronavirus COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, unless there is an active revocation proceeding relative to the operation.
Consider the effectiveness and constraints of formally repealing LAMC Section 12.22 A.23(b)(5) requiring owners of commercial properties next to residentially zoned properties to record covenants limiting commercial operations and consider alternative compliance measures.

INSTRUCT the LAFD to evaluate and report on the following possible changes in operations generated from the Food and Beverage Working Group discussions:

Consider the defined parameters necessary to allow for small construction and tenant improvement projects to undergo plan checks by video conference appointment.
Consider immediately notifying applicants by email when plan corrections are available.
Consider updating the inspection services website to provide customers a description of ‘pre-walk’ inspections and notify of their availability.
Consider including ‘pre-walk’ inspection descriptions and availability within the standard reply customers are emailed when receipts for plan check services paid are completed.

REQUEST the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to evaluate and report on the following possible changes in operations generated from the Food and Beverage Working Group discussions:
Consider creating a case management system to oversee applications for service upgrades from application through delivery.

Consider conducting a study on whether service upgrades can run concurrently with building permit applications, without waiting for building permits to be issued, and a provision allowing applicants to be liable for upgrades if projects are discontinued.

INSTRUCT the Bureau of Sanitation to evaluate and report on implementing the COVID-19 Industrial Waste Fee Relief Program (which would suspend the delinquency fees for the first and second billing quarters and provides options for installment payments) to assist Industrial Users experiencing financial hardship due to mandatory closures and loss of revenues.

INSTRUCT the LADBS, DCP, LAFD, BOE, LADOT, and Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) to report to the Council and Mayor on an annual basis on steps each department will take to improve the policies and practices under their jurisdiction to assist small businesses.

INSTRUCT the Bureau of Street Services, LADBS, and LAFD to report on ways to streamline the process for approving tents, canopies, and awnings in the public right of way.

INSTRUCT the LADOT, LAFD, LADBS and any other City departments as needed, to report on streamlining processes for utilizing alleys for outdoor dining.

Fiscal Impact Statement: The EWDD reports that the recommendations presented above do not impact the General Fund.

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

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Click on the BLUE HIGHLIGHT to view official documents and reports.

• 02/19/2021 Public Works: Sanitation document(s) referred to Economic Development and Jobs Committee.  Report from Public Works: Sanitation 02/18/21
• 02/19/2021 Document(s) submitted by Public Works: Sanitation, as follows:  Report from Public Works: Sanitation 02/18/21

Bureau of Sanitation report, dated February 18, 2021, relative to implementing the COVID-19 Industrial Waste Fee Relief Program.

• 01/12/2021 Council action final.
• 01/12/2021 Council adopted item forthwith. Report from Economic Development Committee 12/08/2020
• 01/08/2021 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on January 12, 2021. Report from Economic Development Committee 12/08/2020, Report from Economic and Workforce Development Department 11/10/202
• 12/08/2020 Economic Development Committee approved as amended .   Attachment to Report dated 11/10/2020 – Attachment 1 11/10/2020, Attachment to Report dated 11/10/2020 – Food and Beverage Workgroup Report Back 11/10/2020, Report from Economic and Workforce Development Department 11/10/2020
• 12/03/2020 Economic Development Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on December 8, 2020.  Attachment to Report dated 11/10/2020 – Attachment 1 11/10/2020, Attachment to Report dated 11/10/2020 – Food and Beverage Workgroup Report Back 11/10/2020, Report from Economic and Workforce Development Department 11/10/2020
• 11/10/2020 Economic and Workforce Development Department document(s) referred to Economic Development Committee.  Attachment to Report dated 11/10/2020 – Attachment 1 11/10/2020, Attachment to Report dated 11/10/2020 – Food and Beverage Workgroup Report Back 11/10/2020, Report from Economic and Workforce Development Department 11/10/2020
• 11/10/2020 Document(s) submitted by Economic and Workforce Development Department , as follows:  Attachment to Report dated 11/10/2020 – Attachment 1 11/10/2020, Attachment to Report dated 11/10/2020 – Food and Beverage Workgroup Report Back 11/10/2020, Report from Economic and Workforce Development Department 11/10/2020

Economic and Workforce Development Department report, dated November 9, 2020, relative to recommended changes to streamline City processes affecting the Food and Beverage Industry.

• 05/07/2020 Council action final.
• 05/06/2020 Council adopted item, as amended, forthwith.  Amending Motion (Blumenfield – Price) 05/06/2020, Motion 04/22/2020
• 05/05/2020 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council,Los Feliz Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 20-0499
• 05/01/2020 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 6, 2020. Motion (April 22, 2020)  Motion 04/22/2020
• 04/22/2020 Motion document(s) referred to Economic Development Committee.  Motion (April 22, 2020)   Motion 04/22/2020