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June 22, 2026
Honorable Mayor Orgill and City Councilmembers
City of Laguna Beach
505 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Re: Item #25 - Consideration of Outdoor Dining Parklet Extension and Market Assessment
Dear Mayor Orgill and City Councilmembers:
Our firm represents Drew and Stacey Howitt, the owners of Tango Restaurant at 305 Forest Avenue in downtown Laguna Beach, who have operated a permitted 45-seat parklet since April 2024. As explained in more detail below, we write in support of the Council extending the outdoor dining parklet permits through December 31, 2026.
Since acquiring the restaurant in 2022, the Howitts (long-time Laguna Beach residents) have offered locals and visitors a unique dining experience in a restored historic building. The parklet, occupying two parking spaces on Forest Ave. and built according to the City’s design specifications, has become an integral part of Tango’s customer experience—the space has become a desirable spot to not only enjoy the restaurant’s offerings, but also creates an engaging and lively streetscape in downtown. In fact, the parklet accounts for approximately 41 percent of the restaurant’s annual revenues.
While we appreciate, and agree with, the Council’s desire to create a permanent outdoor dining program, we believe the reasonable and prudent approach now is to extend the parklet permits until at least the end of December 2026. This will provide sufficient time for staff to collaborate with our clients and other similarly situated restaurants to develop alternative designs that meet the City’s policy objectives. And the additional time will enable the City to fully develop an outdoor dining program that addresses new regulatory considerations (e.g., compliance with AB 413) and proposed street improvements (e.g, bulbouts and widened sidewalks), and complements the Promenade project. Importantly, extending the parklet permits will enable the restaurants to capitalize on the summer tourist and holiday seasons—the most important periods for Laguna Beach businesses—upon which they rely to survive financially for the remainder of the year. The City’s successful parklet program generates jobs and tax revenue, promotes local businesses, and enhances the vibrancy and charm of downtown.
AT K I N S O N , AN D E L S O N , L O Y A , RU U D & R O M O Honorable Mayor Orgill and City Councilmembers
City of Laguna Beach
June 22, 2026
These businesses, including independent restaurants, retailers, art galleries, and other neighborhood-serving uses, are the lifeblood of downtown Laguna Beach. The city’s appeal as a special coastal community and its economic vitality depend on a thriving, well-maintained, and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Our clients, like many other small businesses, have made significant, long-term investments in this community and depend on the City’s cooperation and support.
Taking the drastic action of removing the few remaining parklets now would certainly create severe financial impacts and unnecessarily disrupt the restaurants’ operations. Maintaining the existing outdoor dining parklets is a sensible and practical solution that benefits restaurants, customers, residents, the City, and the Laguna Beach community. We urge the Council to avoid a catastrophe, and to extend the current parklet program until the end of the 2026.
Sincerely,
ATKINSON, ANDELSON, LOYA, RUUD & ROMO
Jeffrey T. Harlan
JTH: