R-36 Correspondence - Melinda Cotton
From: Melinda Cotton [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 5, 2022 5:53 PM
To: Mayor <[email protected]>; Rex Richardson <[email protected]>; Council District 1 <[email protected]>; Council District 2 <[email protected]>; Council District 3 <[email protected]>; Council District 4 <[email protected]>; Council District 5 <[email protected]>; Council District 6 <[email protected]>; Councilmember Roberto Uranga <[email protected]>; Council District 8 <[email protected]>; Tom Modica <[email protected]>; Eric Lopez <[email protected]>; CityClerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Item # 36 PLEASE View the Council’s 2018 Parklets Ordinance Presentation and Council Discussion Prior to Dec. 6th Meeting
-EXTERNAL-
Good evening, Mayor Garcia, incoming Mayor Richardson and Councilmembers,
You are being asked to reevaluate an Ordinance you approved four years ago on November 13, 2018. You are being told “The language contained in LBMC Chapter 14.15 does not align with the original intentions of the City Council.”
However, I have listened more than once to the 2018 Staff Presentation and Discussion. Public Works Director Craig Beck, the Councilmembers and Mayor had a useful and thorough discussion of the proposed Parklets Ordinance – and they paid special to the need for ‘community’ input. I hope you will also listen to the 2018 item yourselves. ( https://longbeach.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=84&clip_id=10151 )
Public Works Director Craig Beck spoke of the need for "community engagement" and noted concerns for parking and that "community groups rightfully so" have concerns about these things. Mr. Beck’s Powerpoint Presentation highlighted “Parking Impacts” which included the statement: “Parklets require a letter of support from the BID/community association.” And said that Parking had been a special item of discussion when they went to the BIDS.
Beck noted that there were no Parklets in Belmont Shore – that so far the BID and Parking Commission had not been supportive. [Note: In 2012 a Permanent Parklet was proposed for 2nd Street, but the Belmont Shore Parking Commission (BSPBIA) voted down that proposal, citing the loss of parking and meter revenue and potential hazards for drivers, pedestrians and diners.
There were additional concerns about a private business controlling space that is meant to be used by the general public.)
Coun. Austin spoke of his concerns about the initial Staff proposal that would have allowed 20% of the spaces in parking districts to be converted to Parklets. Coun. Lena Gonzalez said perhaps it could be …“contingent upon community input”. Austin indicated residents’ concerns needed to be addressed and said he “didn’t want to give away parking that is so preciously needed for all of our businesses”. Coun. Austin asked the potential parklets be reduced to 10%.
At the close of the Council’s 2018 Parklets discussion, Mayor Garcia strongly and eloquently argued for the creation of what he called ‘true’ Public Parklets. Garcia was told that there were 12 dining Parklets in the City at that time. Garcia said: “...but we’re behind [other cities] as none of them are true Public Parklets…Parklets that are open to the Public where you don’t have to actually purchase something"... where people can just gather or enjoy the space. Garcia noted the proposal was geared to a restaurant or business coming forward and said: “I am a little concerned every time you add a Parklet and don’t add the ‘Public Component’ we are removing space and are not adding to ‘Public Space’".
Mayor Garcia and the Councilmembers clearly knew what they were doing and supported the approach Public Works Director Craig Beck proposed for being fair to the entire community surrounding a proposed Permanent Parklet. No changes are needed. The Council should oppose this last minute change in the Parklets Ordinance, and it’s really time for the Temporary Parklets to be removed.
Sincerely,
Melinda Cotton
Longterm resident Belmont Shore
Past-President, Belmont Shore Resident's Association
Mayor's Transportation Task Force (Doug Otto, Chair)
https://longbeach.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=84&clip_id=10151