Attachment E: Overview of the History of the Parklet Program • Ju
ne 23, 20201 (City Council): City Council adopted a pilot parklet program with Ordinance No. 5500, which temporarily permitted businesses to operate outdoors in lieu of normal zoning and parking requirements, and Resolution No. 9909, which provided additional implementation guidelines for the pilot parklet program.
• April 19, 20212 (City Council): Council directed staff to develop a permanent parklet program with the input of the Architectural Review Board and extend the pilot program to December 31, 2021.
• September 13, 20213 (City Council): The pilot program was extended to June 30, 2022. • April 27th, 2022 (Community Engagement): Staff met with nine (9) members of the Palo Alto business community to provide a preview of proposed permanent parklet program standards.
The group included restaurant owners and property owners in the Downtown and one restaurant/business owner from California Avenue.
• May 5, 2022
4 (ARB): Staff presented draft standards for the permanent parklet program to the ARB to receive initial feedback on the draft program standards. • May 9, 2022 5(City Council): Staff presented draft standards for the permanent parklet program to City Council to receive initial feedback on the draft program standards. The City Council extended the pilot program to the end of 2022.
• June 1, 2022 (ARB ad-hoc): An ARB ad-hoc committee provided further feedback on the draft program standards.
• July 21, 20226 (ARB): Staff presented revised standards to the ARB based on the May 5th ARB meeting, May 9th Council meeting and June 1st ARB ad-hoc committee meeting. o ARB recommendations included in the permanent standards include: allowing clear pa
nels above the enclosure, prohibiting televisions, allowing greater flexibility in the size of plants permitted, prohibiting tent-like structures and vinyl materials. • October 24, 20227 (City Council): City staff returned to the City Council to present the refined permanent parklet standards based on ARB and staff input, receive feedback on the program standards and operations, and extend the temporary parklet program through June 30, 2023.
Council directed staff to do the following:
o Implement the draft permanent standards upon adoption of a permanent parklet o
rdinance,
1 Staff report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3031&compileOutputType=1 2 Staff report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3457&compileOutputType=1 3 Staff Report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3325&compileOutputType=1. 4 Staff report: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-mi nutes-reports/agendas- minutes/architectural-review-board/2022/arb-05.05.2022-public-agenda.pdf 5 Staff report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=3643&compileOutputType=1 6 Staff Report: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-mi nutes-reports/agendas- minutes/architectural-review-board/2022/arb-07.21.2022-public-agenda.pdf 7 Staff report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=9096&compileOutputType=1 o Require a letter of consent in if a parklet used 50% or more of a parking space not in front of their store, and
o Return to Council with a recommendation continuing propane use, establishing parklet fees, and limiting amplified sound to only come from buildings. • March 13, 2023
8 (continued March 27, 2023) (City Council): Staff returned to Council to present revised standards implementing Council’s previous direction, and to receive Council’s feedback on limiting the size and scale of parklets, parklet fees, and letter of consent requirements. Staff recommended that the Council limit parklet size to a maximum of two parallel parking spaces or three angled spaces and require letters of consent consistent with the October 2022 direction.
Staff presented several factors that affected the maximum size recommendation; these included fire safety and electrical panel capacity, providing greater certainty around restaurant occupancy increases, and limiting encroachment over neighboring storefronts. After a robust discussion, Council directed staff to implement the following standards:
o Require a letter of consent for parklets that extend structures (e.g., sidewalls, roofs, t
rellises) beyond the applicant’s storefront. Non-structured parklet areas are allowed to extend beyond the applicant’s storefront without a letter of consent. o Tenants who wish to utilize a parking space in front of their store may do so after 90 days.
o Limit the size of covered parklets to 350 square feet but allow businesses up to two (2) parklets, provided they are limited in location to the tenant’s street frontage. o Require parklet owners to keep parklet areas and sidewalks clean.
Council also directed staff to return with the following:
o Incentives for the use of electric heating.
o Proposals on greater safety from vehicles such as k-rail or concrete barrier on the leading-edge corners.
o A fee recommendation on the low end of fees.
• May 8, 2023
9 (City Council): Council extended the pilot program to March 31, 2024. • September 11, 202310 (City Council): Council adopted the permanent parklet ordinance No. 5594 and standards with changes including: allowing sidewalk dining, and removing references to charging parklet renters to relocate/add bike facilities. Council also adopted fees for the Permanent Parklet Program (No. 5593). In addition, Council directed staff to work with the Architectural Review Board (ARB) to create design standards and uniform guidelines as soon as possible. Council also adopted new permit and license fees for the permanent parklet program. • February 15, 2024 (A
RB)11: Staff presented the pre-approved parklet design approach for feedback on the potential pre-approved design options, recommended outreach strategy, and timelines for the design process.
8 Staff report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=1093&compileOutputType=1 9 Staff report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=11199&compileOutputType=1 10 Staff report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=13022&compileOutputType=1 11 Staff report:
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-m inutes-reports/agendas-minutes/architectural- review-board/2024/arb-2.15-parklets.pdf
• March 11, 2024 (City Council)12: Council extended the Interim Parklet Program to July 31, 2024, and phased in enforcement for the Ongoing Parklet Program through November 1, 2024.
Existing interim parking lot eating/drinking uses were extended through December 31, 2024. • March 19, 20 24 (ARB Ad-hoc): An ARB ad-hoc committee consisting of Chair Baltay and Vice- chair Rosenberg provide feedback on initial design concepts for the pre-approved parklet designs, including post-beam connections, roof design options, overhang, and materials. • Ma y 2, 2024 ( ARB)13: Staff presented revised pre-approved parklet designs and proposed revisions to the ongoing parklet design standards for Council consideration. The ARB moved to s
upport the pre-approved designs and proposed revisions as presented. 12 Staff Report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=13515&compileO utputType=1
13 Staff report:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=13844&compileOutputType =1