Where did all the sidewalk cafes go?

How switching from a blacklist regulatory regime to a whitelist one prevents development

In the summer of 2020, as COVID-19 raged on and local restaurants, cafes, and businesses fought desperately to remain open, the city allowed for many parking spots and roadsides to be taken over by sidewalk sheds. These little huts, often constructed of wood or aluminum, provided outdoor seating for diners and transformed the streetscape. For a little w…