SAN DIEGO—The San Diego City Council tentatively approved on Oct. 26 the Spaces as Places program, which permanently allows outdoor dining and business operations in spaces previously envisioned as temporary during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program opens up outdoor areas for dining, walking, biking, and other activities while providing ways to turn temporary outdoor structures into permanent installations. Council voted 6-2 in favor of the program, with Sean Elo-Rivera and Joe LaCava opposed, while Chris Cate was absent. Mayor Todd Gloria said he was proud that the city council approved the program. “Spaces as Places also allows for whole-street closures to create promenades and will ensure long-term options that are safe, equitable, and accessible for all San Diegans,” Gloria said. Spaces as Places targets businesses in traditionally underserved communities to ensure outdoor dining investments, along with bicycle and pedestrian improvements, are equitably distributed across the city, according to Gloria’s office. Council approved temporary outdoor business operations within the …