City Council – March 15, 2022
Temporary Outdoor Dining& Walk On Wilshire Program
Temporary Outdoor Dining Program
Developed in response to Covid pandemic in May 2020 with mobilization by June 2020 Provided for relaxed standards for Temporary Outdoor Dining Public Property – Sidewalks, parking Lots
Private Property – Typically parking lots
Walk On Wilshire Project – Street closure with outdoor dining Extended through March 21, 2022 due to continued pandemic
Return to Pre-pandemic Process
State has begun the move away from pandemic emergency
City has established guidelines, regulations, and fees for obtaining outdoor dining permits Recommendation to return to pre-pandemic process
Public Property – Outdoor Dining
Currently 9 active outdoor dining spaces on public property Six in public parking lots, two in alleys, one on a back sidewalk Utilize Standard Outdoor Dining Program Process
Use of parking lots or vehicular alleys obtain City Council approval
Standard Outdoor Dining Program
Site plan submittal
Design requirements
Disabled access requirements
Amplified music/excessive noise not permitted in outdoor dining area Review/ Approval by Community Development and Fire
Requires signed encroachment agreement and restoration deposit Requires compliance with Fullerton Municipal Code and CD requirements related to alcohol use Requires ongoing payment of lease fees
Private Property – Outdoor Dining
Currently there are 23 active sites on private property To obtain authorization for Outdoor Dining, business would need to go through Conditional Use Permit process Consideration by Planning Commission
As it is private property, no lease revenue
Walk On Wilshire (WOW) Project – Street Closure - Outdoor Dining First approved in Orange County in response to pandemic Award-winning project – Partnered with North Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Gas Company, Savage Land Design Space activated by businesses
City maintains most landscaping and street closure materials Bike access via walking bikes on sidewalk
WOW Options – Outdoor Dining
Recommended options for consideration:
Eliminate the program and open street by June 13, 2022
Continue street closure on an interim basis for a period of 12 months provided interim bike lane developed and at least three (3) businesses elect to activate under Standard Outdoor Dining program provisions Provide for permanent street closure for outdoor dining for businesses and work to develop funding for permanently designated bike lane
WOW Considerations – Bike Lane
Bike lane improvements
Street Closure discussed at prior Active Transportation Committee Meeting Discussed in 2021 and at March 9, 2022 Meeting
ATC recommendations – Option 4C
Should City Council select permanent street closure install separated bike lane in center of street with signal and other capital improvements
WOW Considerations – Bike Lane, cont.
Interim – Sample of Improvements
Signage and Installation of Bike Lane
Option 4C – Permanent
Creation of Permanent Dining with Bike Lane
Recommendations – Public and Private Property
Ratify termination of the Temporary Outdoor Dining program effective March 21, 2022; and Authorize City Manager or designee to work with businesses through June 13, 2022 to cease outdoor operations and remove temporary structures.
WOW Options – Request for Direction
Eliminate the temporary outdoor dining program on WOW effective June 13, 2022, with area restored to prior condition by that date thereby reopening Wilshire to traffic; or Extend the temporary closure of Wilshire on an interim basis thereby continuing to allow temporary outdoor dining on WOW for an additional 12-month period while the City evaluates adding a temporary bike lane at an initial cost of $25,000. This option requires a commitment from at least three (3) businesses to initiate applying for an Encroachment Agreement and related permits per the City’s established permanent outdoor dining / retail program; or Move to permanently close Wilshire to traffic which would necessitate unknown capital improvements and will require future City Council action on the design of the closure and budget appropriation to permanently close Wilshire.