Open Streets Initiative – Updates
City Council Meeting – June 14, 2022
• Citywide effort to support the economic recovery for
businesses amid Health Order physical-distancing requirements • First temporary parklets were installed in May 2020
• At the program’s peak:
o 112 temporary parklet locations citywide
o 124 participating businesses citywide
o 176 Outdoor Activity Permits (OAP’s)
o 10 Sidewalk Dining Permits
• Currently:
o 80 temporary parklet locations citywide
o 91 participating businesses citywide
o 12 parklets removed since January 2022
o 27 Outdoor Activity Permits (OAP’s)
o 9 Sidewalk Dining Permits
Response to COVID-19
Open Streets Initiative - Temporary Parklet Background
2 Current Number of Temporary Parklets by Council District Total at
Height of
Program
Removed Current
CD1 28 11 17
CD2 27 4 23
CD3 44 10 34
CD4 3 1 2
CD5 7 4 3
CD6 1 1 0
CD7 0 0 0
CD8 1 0 1
CD9 1 1 0
Total (124) 112 (29) 32 (91) 80
3 *Figures in parenthesis are number of businesses utilizing temporary parklets. While adjacent figure are the number of actual parklets as some businesses share.
Outside Activity Permits (OAP’s) by Council District
Total at
Height
of
Program
Current
CD1 4
CD2 1
CD3 11
CD4 3
CD5 5
CD6 1
CD7 0
CD8 2
CD9 0
Total 176 27
4 Note: OAP’s will sunset on June 30, 2022 regardless of the outcome of the Temporary Parklet discussion.
Reno Room – 3400 East Broadway
Focus on Belmont Shore (2nd St, Livingston Dr to Bay Shore Ave) 5 Currently:
23 Temporary parklet locations (includes double parklets) 28 participating businesses
10 temporary parklets removed to date
517 Parking stalls available (351 On-street, 166 Public lots) 52 Parking stalls converted to Temporary Parklets
10% (6% on 2nd St – 4 % on side streets)
• Object marker at approach
• Remaining traveled way – 12’ standard
• Structural elements
• Proper installation of barricades
• Stormwater drainage elements
• Safe pedestrian passage
• Utility conflicts
• Parking and impacts to accessibility
• Existing Temporary Parklets cannot convert
automatically to Permanent status.
Elements to Consider for
Temporary Parklets
Focus on Safety
6 • Address issues on a case-by-case basis
• Remove temporary parklets by request
• Reduce or adjust parklet footprints
• Check and fill barricade water levels
• Reaffirm consent from businesses
neighboring a temporary parklet
(frontage overlap)
• Coordinate insurance compliance
• Continue inspections by City staff
Tailored Approach
Maintaining the integrity of Temporary Parklets
7 • Virtual Meetings
• Public and Business Surveys
• Coordination with Council Districts
• Field Inspections and Business Visits
• E-mail, phone and website with residents
Public Works staff involvement
Outreach and Communication
8 Results of Outreach – Belmont Shore
Top Parklet Concerns (Survey & Email)
• Parking impacts
• Sidewalk access
• Aesthetics
• Driver sightlines
• Noise (especially on side streets)
• Quality of life
Positive Feedback
• Value outdoor dining option
• Improves walkability of area
• Enhanced experience/character of
Belmont Shore
Of 584 Submitted Comments
38% Support the program
11% Support, but with restrictions
12% Parking impact concerns
6% Traffic sight-line concerns
14% Congestion and parking concerns
9% Accessibility and aesthetic concerns
Customer & Resident Responses
9 57212
584 Total Responses from CD3
businesses/residents/customers
Belmont Shore Resident or Customer
Belmont Shore Business Owner
www.longbeach.gov/goactivelb/
• Existing temporary parklets are not
approved or designed to be permanent
• Temporary parklets are managed and permitted
separately from the Permanent Parklet Program –
which predates COVID-19
• Permanent parklet permits have been
available through City’s existing Sidewalk
Dining and Parklets Handbook
• Permit requires design and construction of a new
structure that meets permit requirements
• Local Coastal Zone requirements may apply
Permanent Parklets
www.longbeach.gov/pw/services/permits
10 Current status of Permanent Parklet Applications
• Only 4 businesses with a temporary parklet established a permanent parklet through the formal process/guidelines. 2 in CD1, 1 in CD2 and 1 in CD5.
• There are 4 businesses have applied for a Permanent Parklet Permit that are currently in the review process. 3 in CD1 and 1 in CD7. • 30 businesses have only expressed interest in the formal establishment of a permanent parklet. 7 in CD2 and 23 in CD3.
NOTE: Permanent parklets will not be allowed for the following reasons:
1. Business does not comply w/safety, insurance or refill requirements.
2. Applicant has a business condition that has safety concerns, or documented issues that have been determined by the City Traffic Engineer to be detrimental to the quality of life of nearby businesses and/or residents.
3. All businesses located in the Coastal Zone will be required to obtain a local Coastal Commission Approval. This is an internal City process. 11 Berlin Bistro 4th St & Linden Ave
Permanent Parklet Ideas
• Semi-permanent materials can be removed if needed
Parklet Build Considerations for
Semi-Permanent Parklets
12 The Social List 4th St & St. Louis Ave
Permanent Parklet Ideas
• Concrete curb-extensions are mandatory on streets
with posted speed limits of 30+ MPH
• Additional parklet materials are semi-permanent
(e.g., furniture, decorative elements, planters)
Parklet Build Considerations for
Semi-Permanent Parklets
13 • OPTION 1:
Current Open Streets Initiative and
Temporary Parklet Program sunsets
June 30, 2022.
• OPTION 2:
Current Open Streets Initiative and
Temporary Parklet Program sunsets
on June 30, 2022 with the exception
that any business that has applied
for a Permanent Parklet Permit by
August 1st shall be allowed to
continue utilizing their Temporary
Parklet until September 30, 2022.
Open Streets Initiative - Recommendations
Conditions for OPTION 2 – a business must:
• Formally apply for a Permanent Parklet Permit per the existing City Permanent Parklet Program no later than
August 1, 2022. (Owners will be notified at the time of application, that the proposed permanent parklet may
not be feasible because of safety, or quality of life
concerns.)
• If the application is accepted, adhere to all Temporary Parklet Permit conditions as the formal approval of the permanent parklet is determined. This includes review of criminal activity and neighborhood quality of life
concerns.
• Comply with all safety, insurance and k-rail refill
requirements. Parklets will be removed starting June 30, 2022 if businesses fail to comply.
• Temporary parklets allowed on minor side streets after June 30, 2022 only after a case-by-case review by the
City Traffic Engineer.
14 Thank you
Carl Hickman, P.E., T.E.
City Traffic Engineer / Acting City Engineer
Public Works Department
[email protected]
(562) 570-6665
More information on the Open Streets Initiative at:
www.longbeach.gov/goactivelb/
15