SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—San Clemente City Council introduced an ordinance on March 15 that would resume outdoor dining in the city that was first implemented in 2020 due to COVID. The five-seat city council voted 3–1 for the ordinance with one council member absent. If passed after its second reading next month, the vote would repurpose parking spaces into outdoor dining patios and parklets near restaurants. It would also establish a monthly licensing fee. “I’m in favor of the ordinance,” Councilman Steve Knoblock said during the meeting. “I’m in favor of the concept. I think it’s important even though COVID is over, [it] opened our eyes to what a wonderful environment it can be to have outdoor dining with [our] weather.” Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 61 and Senate Bill 314 which permitted outdoor dining to continue until the end of 2023, or a year after he decides to …