Resounding Feedback at the Public Hearing

Thank you to everyone who attended the Virtual Al Fresco Public Hearing! Over 250 people participated in the Al Fresco Public Hearing on Wednesday, February 8th. If you missed it, you can access a recording of the Informational Presentation and the Public Hearing on the proposed draft of the Al Fresco Ordinance on the project website. The public comment period is open until Friday, March 3, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Mayor Karen Bass has shared her strong support for LA’s Al Fresco program and has directed City Departments to work together to create a permanent program that incorporates everything that made the temporary program successful, including a simple application process and straightforward approval pathway.

The input from the public hearing was resounding: support small businesses by keeping the Al Fresco program alive and making it permanent. From the overwhelming feedback received to date, City Planning has heard loud and clear that this process should be as easy and simple as possible, and we are working on a number of changes to that end. Revisions are underway that will focus on creating a simple and streamlined process for current Al Fresco participants. In response to comments received, staff is also evaluating modifications to the draft ordinance that will address parking lot requirements, operations, permitting compliance, alcohol authorization, and more.

The Department anticipates releasing a revised Ordinance at the end of March. We invite you to continue to provide your comments on the program as revisions are released and as recommendations are presented to the City Planning Commission, City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee, and the full City Council at a future date.

Send comments via email to: alfresco.planning@lacity.org

Send comments via mail to:

Mary Richardson

Department of City Planning

200 North Spring Street, Room 701 Los Angeles, CA, 90012

Please include Planning Case No. CPC-2022-8179-CA.