February 28th, 2023

Mayor Karen Bass
City of Los Angeles
200 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA  90012

RE: SUPPORT ALFRESSCO / Private & Public Use Made Simple

Dear Mayor Bass

The Greater Los Angeles Hospitality Association represents thousands of workers, performers, and small businesses throughout the Los Angeles area in the world of hospitality and entertainment.

The pandemic crushed our Industry and those who survived continue to struggle to keep their doors open while the costs of doing business rise extraordinarily. 

Nearly two years ago we had a glimmer of hope when the Alfresco Program was enacted, and swiftly put into place to help save not only our restaurants but our communities by safely allowing people to get out of their homes, walk their neighborhoods and enjoying our great city amongst friends and family.  Over night we created the pedestrian friendly city that this city has been vying to achieve for over a decade, with fiesta lights, planter boxes, umbrellas and seating that now embraced many of our city streets.

GLAHA Is extremely grateful that you have pushed back on City Planning to redraft their recent proposed ordinance, and hopefully, you have set the stage for DOT to consider the same by Implementing a streamlined process that suggests an annual and affordable fee for each ordinance without a ‘process’. 

The Alfresco program has been overwhelming supported by Angelinos across our city.  Whether Alfresco is on private property or public, there should be absolutely no required plan approval nor restriction on the seating that has already been working in place.  Our restaurants are a VITAL and INTEGRAL aspect to the success of our community’s culture and health.

The City of Los Angeles, like other cities, should be partnering with our small businesses and provide concrete barriers, improved lighting and safe sidewalks as well as pedestrian friendly signage. 

Mayor as you know our Planning Department and LADBS are two of the most dysfunctional and anti-business friendly agencies with one-size-fits all dynamics and costs that are debilitating at best…. certainly, another topic of conversation that need be had.

I hope we can count on you for your support and recognition of the cultural importance of our restaurants that single-handedly revitalize our neighborhoods and provide for a healthy quality of life amongst our friends and families.

Sincerely,

Tricia La Belle
President
The Greater Los Angeles Hospitality Association