The Beverly Hills City Council voted on May 4 to extend the city’s OpenBH program in its current form through Dec. 31, 2021, which includes continued waived permit fees and traffic control costs, with a formal review to be conducted in September regarding a permanent extension. The recommendation was submitted by the Small Business Assistance Task Force, and unanimously approved by the council.
The city’s current OpenBH program allows businesses to temporarily expand their services to adjacent areas such as parking lots and the public right of way by acquiring a Special Event Permit without having to pay applicable fees. Under the program, street closure fees and meter revenue are also waived, with costs related to traffic circle equipment and staff time being absorbed by the city. With the closure of indoor dining and ever-changing Public Health restrictions, OpenBH proved to be a critical lifeline for many restaurants and retailers teetering on the edge of foreclosure. However, challenges related to equitable fee structures, safety concerns and design elements remain. Some 114 businesses in Beverly Hills have participated in the program since its inception in June of 2020. Currently, there are 96 businesses actively participating.
