DEL MAR — As far as Jim Watkins is concerned, amending the municipal code to allow sidewalk cafes in downtown Del Mar is a move that’s long overdue.

“It’s nice to see that after 40 years … the council is finally taking action to come forth with what the community has wanted all along,” Watkins said at the July 21 City Council meeting. Quoting the general and streetscape plans he worked on more than 30 years ago, Watkins said the goal has always been to “increase the cultural and social aspects of the community and bring people together,” something he said could be achieved with sidewalk cafes.

Although most residents and council members support the ordinance, many oppose a provision in the new law that does not require owners to provide additional parking.

“We all love sidewalk cafes and I’m sure we’d like to see more of them,” resident Alice McNally said. “But if we’re thinking about cutting the required parking spaces, we can’t. We don’t have enough now to support our restaurants. We need to concentrate on more parking, not less.”

“In your quest to create an ambiance in the city, which I think is really pleasant, I think you’re eroding the quality of life for people who live nearby,” Brooke Eisenberg-Pike said.

Bill Michalsky said he liked the idea of outdoor restaurants, but is concerned about the parking. “All this does is add another burden,” he said. “I love the idea but I just don’t think we’re ready for it.”

Describing sidewalk cafes as “a good idea in principal,” Don Mosier said the ordinance is “premature and ill-considered,” while Jan McMillan called the parking provision “a terrible idea.”

“I think it’s short-sighted,” McMillan said. “I think it’s stupid. And I don’t usually say things like this. There simply isn’t any parking. Why should you relax the parking standards now?”

Keith Nordling, owner of Jimmy O’s, said he supports the ordinance, which will allow him to improve the area in front of his restaurant and ultimately increase business.

“We’re going to end up paying more sales tax, which is our goal,” Nordling said. “It’s wonderful that you’re stepping forward and helping us help you.”

While council members agree parking is an issue, some said it may not be as bad as described. “There’s always parking under the hotel,” Councilman Carl Hilliard said. “I’ve never found it totally full.” Hilliard said he often patronizes restaurants at 15th Street and Camino del Mar.

“There’s a lot of parking on the east side of Camino del Mar that’s totally hidden from people’s view,” said Councilman Henry Abarbanel, who voted against the ordinance during the first reading July 21. “If that were known, and people were directed there, I don’t think we’d hear a lot of complaints. I want to see this happen but I want to see some parking requirements.”

Mayor Dave Druker, who also opposed the amendment at the July 21 reading, said the parking issue has more to do with location. “There’s a whole lot of parking around 11th Street and 12th Street on Camino del Mar,” Druker said. “But people don’t want to park there because they don’t want to walk an extra two, three blocks. … They want to park right in front. We can’t solve that type of problem.”

The existing restaurants with outdoor cafes — Americana and Rendezvous — were not required to provide additional parking. Americana predates current codes and the Rendezvous quota was satisfied in the overall parking requirements of the plaza’s specific plan.

Sidewalk cafes may not necessarily greatly increase the need for more parking spaces. Adam Birnbaum, principal planner, said only five or six existing restaurants could feasibly add sidewalk dining, and new restaurants will be required to provide parking according to the current formula.

“Precious few tables will ever be able to be put on these streets,” Councilman Richard Earnest said. “The frontage on the building isn’t that great and the street isn’t that wide.”

The ordinance, which was adopted Aug. 4, was created to streamline the process to add sidewalk cafes. The amendment does not require modification to the zoning code, so plans will no longer be subject to review by the Design Review Board or Planning Commission. Once granted, permits will be valid for three years.

Seating in the outdoor cafes will be available for use by the public as well as restaurant patrons. The ordinance also mandates a fee for commercial use of the public right of way. Funds will be used for downtown streetscape improvements.

Based on what other cities are charging, council members are considering an annual fee of $2 per square foot. Americana and Rendezvous will be exempt from the fee for the first three years. The amount will be decided at a future council meeting.