So far, parklet is getting negative reviews

An experimental dining area outside an Italian restaurant on Forest Avenue has caused a stir since it was erected last week.

Residents told the Laguna Beach City Council on Tuesday that they were taken aback by the steel-framed parklet with wood rails that occupies two parking spaces near Alessa, citing aesthetics and complications for passengers trying to open car doors on either side of the structure.

And Anne Krizman, owner of Fresh Produce, a women’s and children’s clothing store, complained that the parklet is too close to her shop and asked the council why it wasn’t built more in line with Alessa’s property.

“That structure totally blocks my store from the street,” Krizman said. “There is another parking space in front of the restaurant, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be there.”

City Manager John Pietig confirmed Thursday that he will meet with Alessa owner and chef Alessandro Pirozzi and Krizman in the next week to discuss potential solutions and will report back to the council later this month.

Krizman also asked why the parklet, approved by the council in October for a trial 60-day period, was scheduled to operate during the busy summer season.

Krizman referred to Councilman Kelly Boyd’s comments last June that he did not want any parklet to open during the summer.

Council members on Tuesday asked why city staff failed to take Boyd’s suggestion into account.

City Planner Wendy Jung said Boyd’s comments were made during a general discussion of downtown improvements.

Ann Larson, assistant community development director, added: “There were no conditions [regarding Alessa’s parklet] that stated it couldn’t happen during the summer.

Regarding complaints that the edges of the parklet sit on or slightly over striped lines delineating the angled parking spaces, Mayor Pro Tem Toni Iseman asked: “Did we measure wrong?”

“City staff signed off on completely occupying the space between the outside stripes for the two spaces,” Pietig said. “In hindsight, we should have pulled it in so that people parking next to it could open doors.

“It should have been narrower. It’s a trial program.”

Pietig said Alessa designed and constructed the parklet.

“I think we learned a big lesson,” Iseman said. “If we’re to go on and let it remain, I’m hoping the council would concur that this thing would scoot over. We cannot let this thing take parking places on both sides.”

Parklets also have their backers, who told the council that if done right with decorative plants, such sidewalk extensions could be charming additions to the downtown.

Meter revenue from the two parking spaces taken up at Alessa would have generated $3,800 through 60 days, Jung estimated.