City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: August 18, 2025
Report #:2507-4929
TITLE
Approval of Retail Committee Recommendations for Streetscape Improvements and Outdoor Activation Standards for Pedestrian Only Ramona Street; CEQA Status - categorically exempt.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council confirm Retail Committee recommendations for next steps on Streetscape Improvements and Outdoor Activation Standards for Pedestrian Only Ramona Street.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The pedestrian only Ramona Street project was to be designed and implemented in two phases with Phase 1 focused on a limited scope of near-term improvements and outdoor activation standards (Standards). A future Phase 2 was envisioned to incorporate more extensive streetscape upgrades and street amenities. Because of the limited improvements in Phase 1 and the community and Council desire to transition from the temporary vehicle barriers as soon as possible, engaging the Architectural Review Board (ARB) or the Historic Review Board (HRB) was not included in this first Phase.
On June 18, 2025, staff presented near-term streetscape improvements and outdoor activation standards (Standards) for the pedestrian only portion of Ramona Street to the Retail Committee. See Attachment A for the staff report.
The proposed streetscape improvements included resurfacing the street with colored and stamped asphalt, minor sidewalk repairs and curb ramps, installation of removable vehicle barriers and planters, signage, and tree well treatment. The Standards, to be administered by Public Works, set forth the permit design requirements for outdoor dining and retail and would facilitate flexible outdoor dining and retail, enabling certain commercial uses of public sidewalks and roadway space. Based on prior feedback from the downtown stakeholder working group and given the historic nature of the street, roofed structures were not included in the Standards.
At the June 18 Retail Committee, stakeholders provided new feedback, some of which was not aligned with prior feedback, about the draft Standards and requested the City to re-evaluate the scope and timeline of the streetscape improvements. The Retail Committee members reiterated some of this stakeholder feedback and asked staff to explore an expanded scope for the streetscape design and to engage the HRB and ARB.
These changes will require a consultant contract amendment and result in a longer timeline and increased costs and funding for the expanded scope will need to be identified. This change in direction will also result in many of the current street elements (pavement, vehicle barriers, and signage) likely staying in place until the expanded project scope is implemented, which could take two years from the start of this new process.
BACKGROUND
Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the City Council repeatedly affirmed its desire to have a portion of Ramona Street between Hamilton Avenue and University Avenue remain a car-free street. This action was continued through interim ordinances, with final action to amend the Comprehensive Plan and permanently designate this portion of Ramona Street as a pedestrian only street on March 10, 2025.
In December 2024, the City Council approved a contract with Urban Planning Partners (UPP)1 to develop outdoor activation standards and streetscape improvements for approximately 200 feet of Ramona Street, which has been car-free since 2020. The project was to be designed and implemented in two phases with Phase 1 focused on a limited scope of near-term improvements and outdoor activation standards. A future Phase 2 was envisioned to incorporate more extensive streetscape upgrades and street amenities. Because of the limited improvements in Phase 1 and the community and Council desire to transition from the temporary vehicle barriers as soon as possible, engaging the ARB or HRB was not included in this Phase.
ANALYSIS
Proposed Streetscape Improvements
The pedestrian only Ramona Street was designated in 1985 as a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places2 for its distinctive Spanish Revival and Monterey Colonial architecture. Based on strong stakeholder consensus and the historic elements of the street, materials and colors that complement the architectural features of the styles, such as stucco walls, terracotta tiles, and ornate iron work were incorporated in the proposed design. 1 Approval of Urban Planning Partners (UPP) Contract Staff Report: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=03dbcbdf-6ded-48ae-8938- e204471f43ef
2 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/planning-community-environment/historic- preservation/ramona-street-architectural-district-national-register-nomination.pdf Based on the stakeholder feedback in late February 2025, and with the goal of providing flexibility, while trying to be sensitive to cost considerations, timeline, and aesthetics, staff proposed at-grade activation areas with planters and dividers as edge treatments. Staff also presented information about outdoor activation fees, new traffic signage, parking, impacts of outdoor dining on sanitary sewer infrastructure, and restroom capacity. Further details are included in the June 18 Retail Committee staff report (Attachment A).
Feedback from June 18 Retail Committee Meeting
Several stakeholders spoke during the public comment period. Comments covered the following topics:
Safety and cleanliness as a top priority
Engaging the HRB on all aspects of the project
Concerns about impacts of outdoor dining on storm and sanitary sewer systems, need for additional restrooms, ensuring ADA compliance
Identifying funding sources for improvements and ongoing maintenance Streetscape improvements timeline – did not want to shut down outdoor dining in October as envisioned in the Phase I implementation timeline Desire for platforms, roofed structures, and electrical connectivity for outdoor dining Grandfathering in existing outdoor dining areas and not requiring letters of consent from adjacent storefronts
Desire for additional stakeholder engagement
Concerns about impacts on basements if sidewalks are replaced The Retail Committee members also provided substantive input as summarized below:
HRB and ARB should be engaged in the development of the Standards as well as the streetscape design
Allow businesses more design flexibility
Standards should allow parklets with platforms and roof structures Standards should allow electrical connectivity for lighting and heating A letter of consent requirement was in response to concerns about loss of parking in front of businesses and obstruction of visibility to passing cars; this requirement should be re-evaluated as these concerns are not relevant on a pedestrian only street; outdoor dining should be prioritized.
Other feedback included the following: support for colored and stamped asphalt, planters should not be required, and project should not be rushed, and improvements should be made with a longer-term perspective in mind.
Implementation Timeline
The proposed near-term streetscape improvements were planned for completion by the end of the calendar year, a detailed project timeline was included in the June 18 Retail Committee staff report. However, based on the Retail Committee’s feedback to engage both the HRB and the ARB, and to allow roofed structures on this historic street, the implementation timeline will need to be significantly revised. Additionally, since there is no funding identified for the expanded project scope, identifying appropriate funding sources will also require additional time. Staff do not currently have the capacity to take on this revised scope, as such this revised project scope will not begin until resources become available to manage the project.
In the interim, should businesses on Ramona Street wish to make improvements within the public right-of-way, applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis including historic and architectural review.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Funding for the design and implementation of Phase 1 improvements and development of Standards has been budgeted for. However, based on the increased project scope, staff will need to return with an amendment to the consultant contract, also identify additional funding for the project and staffing resources to support the project management. A schedule will be established after confirmation of the revised scope and prioritization of this effort among competing needs.
The outdoor activation of pedestrian only Ramona Street represents a unique environment that will likely require a higher level of maintenance than currently provided by the City. In addition to the ongoing needs for cleanliness of public spaces, potential fiscal impacts include staff time to review and process outdoor activation permits and additional costs associated with increased inspections. Staff time is partially recovered through the existing encroachment permit process. In order to ensure that pedestrian only Ramona Street is maintained in a manner consistent with local businesses’ needs and priorities, as well as supporting economic success, some level of coordination and collective support among the businesses is essential.
The City will need to continue encouraging stakeholders to work together on issues of collective interest.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
In February 2025, the City convened a meeting with the Downtown Stakeholder Working Group, comprised of members representing property owners, restaurants, retail, residents, and community partners, and with Ramona Street stakeholders. A survey seeking input on specific topics was also sent to all the stakeholders, to allow time for more detailed input. Based on the feedback at the June 18 Retail Committee meeting, further stakeholder engagement will be postponed until confirmation of a revised project scope and resource allocation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed program is categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (existing facilities), 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structures), 15304(e) (minor temporary use of land having negligible or no permanent effects on the environment), 15305 (minor alterations in land use limitations), 15311 (accessory structures), and 15323 (normal operations of facilities for public gatherings).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: June 18 Retail Committee Staff Report
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager