HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Questions from James Watson1
Gloria Harper
From:James Watson <jrwatson@jrwatson.com>
Sent:Monday, June 08, 2020 5:06 PM
To:Gloria Harper
Cc:Joe Kalmick; Jill Ingram; Rob McCone; Monica Justin; James Watson
Subject:External Email : Support for Outdoor Dining Measures to Assist Re-opening of
Restaurants due to Covid-19
Attachments:Seal Beach Dining Support Letter.pdf
Dear City Clerk,
Please forward the attached letter addressed to the Honorable Mayor and City Council for tonight's Public
Hearing.
Best regards,
Jim Watson
James R. Watson
Chairman and CEO
J.R. Watson & Associates Development Corporation
101 Main Street, Suite A, Seal Beach, CA 90740
Office: (562)430-0503 Fax: (562) 493-5860
Email: jrwatson@jrwatson.com
www.jrwatson.com
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101 Main Street, Suite A, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 430-0503 FAX (562) 493-5860
www.jrwatson.com
J.R. WATSON & ASSOCIATES DEVELOPMENT CORP.
June 8, 2020
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Seal Beach
211 8th Street
Seal Beach, CA 90740
RE: Support for Outdoor Dining Measures to Assist Reopening of Restaurants due to COVID-19
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council,
This letter is in support of the COVID-19 Related Temporary Business Reopening Support Measures
being heard on the Council Agenda tonight.
The restrictions that have been placed on our restaurants and businesses due to COVID-19 have
been catastrophic.
We think the suggestions in the staff report are well thought out in providing guidance to address
the negative impacts to the restaurants and other businesses on Main Street.
I have been in the shopping center business for many decades. Restaurants cannot survive with
30-50% occupancy. The City and Main Street would be severely damaged if we lose some of our
restaurants.
I have seen positive effects outside dining has on communities in the US and around the world.
Outside dining creates more excitement for the street and community. People enjoy eating
outside. This allows for a more festive atmosphere. Outside dining is not only a benefit to
restaurants but also for other businesses on the street.
It would be desirable to take a few strategically located parking spaces on Main Street for outside
dining.
101 Main Street, Suite A, Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 430-0503 FAX (562) 493-5860
www.jrwatson.com
There is adequate room to meet ADA requirements and provide small seating and benches
adjacent to the restaurant wall.
With expedited, over the counter approval, restaurants could design and pay for seating and
umbrellas. They would also maintain and clean the outside dining area with a minimal cost to the
City. Sales taxes will increase, not only from the restaurants, but from surrounding businesses.
Our parking code has created significant constraints on how businesses operate in the city. I
suggest the parking code be addressed in the near future.
There is significant data that shows most businesses can only last for a couple of months with
significantly reduced sales.
We are in an emergency. We respectfully request Mayor and City Council move to approve
tonight’s staff report.
Sincerely,
James R. Watson
Chief Executive Officer