SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A small group of La Jolla business owners who use the beach for business claim their events are being unfairly discriminated against by the city of San Diego.
“The new street vending ordinance passed and approved by city officials will eliminate all professional services at all San Diego beaches. We believe this extreme measure discriminates against many community members and visitors. I feel that there is.”
BluLite Bonfires is essentially a picnic service, providing everything for a great day at the beach, so customers don't have to do any heavy lifting, and they also accommodate people with disabilities.
“Veterans Corps heroes who need a little more help preparing for their beach events. Removing all professional services from our beaches means we can't enjoy what we really want from this great city. We're telling all these wonderful people who can't do that and just want to have a fun day at the beach,” said Rene Contreras, owner of BluLite Bonfires. .
Gregor Cofaro owns Purpose First Beach Cleanup. His nonprofit organization organizes public beach cleanups with fun events on the first Saturday of every month.
“We aim to build value in the community and bring people from all walks of life together. That's our real goal: to save the ocean, and to have fun while doing it.” My hope is to get the city's support,” Cofaro said.
The group gathered in La Jolla Shores on Tuesday to plead with the city of San Diego to allow businesses to continue on the beach, which is illegal on all city beaches, according to city code, and has been in place for quite some time. It has been carried out since.
A city representative sent FOX 5/KUSI the following statement, which reads in part: “The Department of Parks and Recreation is continuing the permitting process for pop-up and luxury picnic commercial activities in coastal areas and Balboa Park. While commercial activities in parks and beaches are currently illegal, these new guidelines expand the opportunities for commercial vendors to legally conduct business within the 12 permitted locations and make these business activities within the city limits. It will align with existing local ordinances and the new street vendor ordinance recently adopted unanimously by the City Council. New section added to Department of Parks and Recreation Permit Center website [sandiego.gov] (See the “High-Class Picnic Permits” section) Provide interested vendors with guidelines, locations, and information on how to secure permits. Engagement with commercial vendors is ongoing to provide guidance regarding these new requirements. ”
Amy Reichert, founder of RESTORE San Diego, supports companies in their efforts.
“What they're asking for now is a process, a fair permitting process to enable that. In fact, they're asking for regulation, even though other cities allow these activities. The city says no.”
