OUTDOOR ACTIVATION
PRE-APPROVED PARKLET PLANS
PUBLIC SPACE WITH BICYCLES
Car Free California Avenue
Bruce Fukuji, AIA AICP
Project Manager
June 1, 2026 www.paloalto.gov
Agenda
• Outreach
• Outdoor Activation
• Pre-Approved Parklets
• Public Space with Bicycles
• Next Steps
• Recommendation
2 Key Steps Q3 ’25 Q4 ’25 Q1 ’26 Q2 ’26
Requirements & guidance
Street layout & areas
Parklet standards & options
ARB ad hoc meetings
June
ARB & Outreach Process
ARB, Econ Development, City Council Action
& opportunities for public comment
3 Merchant Engagement
Outreach
4 Stakeholder Engagement August 2025 – May 2026
14 Merchant Meetings
• Monthly & Individual
• Permit Requirements
• Outdoor Dining Standards
• Parklets
• On-Site
12 Committee and Board Meetings
• Economic Development Committee
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee
• Architectural Review Board
• ARB Ad Hoc subcommittee
6 Community Conversations
• Thursday Live
• Farmers Market (70 + residents)
• Earth Day (30 + residents)
• Evergreen Park
• Neighborhood Residents
5 Stakeholder Meetings
• Stanford Research Park
• Urban Village Farmers Market
• Vista Center for Blind & Visually Impaired
Outdoor Activation – Precedents & Adaptations
Evvia Estiatorio Meyhouse The Barrel Bistro & Wine Bar
Sun Wind & Rain ARB Recommendations
• Maintain storefront visibility
• Light & transparent
• Minimal enclosure/massing
• Open to sidewalk
• Operable weather protection
retracted when not in use
5 Outdoor Seating Analysis
6 5,106 5,168 4,656 5,596
7,514
5,482 6,759
7,771
-
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
2024 2025 2026 Activation 2026 Activation with
Encroachments
Sidewalks
Roadway
12,620 SF
10,650 SF
11,415 SF
13,367 SF
Key Findings
• Activation enables
equivalent or greater than
current outdoor seating
area
• 19 of 20 restaurants can
locate a pre-approved
parklet in front of their
storefront
• 400 SF tent area will
decrease with 350 SF max
parklet sizes (max 2 per
business) and setbacks
Pre-Approved Parklets Adapted for Cal Ave
7 Cabana Pergola
Public Space Concept - West
8 Outdoor Dining Setback
Gas line
Café Seating
Pre-approved Parklet
Bike parking
Design Features
• Use of thermoplastic texture for pedestrian areas to deter bikes and speeding • No standard bicycle markings; curves to reduce speeds • Universal design – tactile directional indicators in roadway Public Space Concept with Bikes- East
9 Outdoor Dining Setback
Gas line
Café Seating
Pre-approved Parklet
Bike parking
Ash Street
Next Steps
June 1, 2026: Council consideration and action on Outdoor Activation August 2026: Second reading Council on Sign Ordinance
Q3-Q4 2026: Expedite repaving procurement if feasible, finalize construction schedule, coordinate with
merchants, complete repaving, and advance parklet
improvements (depending on the weather)
FY 2027: Refine public space design, specifications, bidding & installation; removal of sidewalk barriers
10 Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the Outdoor Activation Standards and encroachment permit requirements for the car-free portion of California Avenue as documented in Attachment A.
2. Approve the Pre-approved Parklet Plans with standardized parklet designs for California Avenue summarized in Attachment B.
3. FIRST READING: An ordinance amending the Sign Code (PAMC section 16.20.160) to allow parklet permittees to post certain types of parklet signs in compliance with the Outdoor Activation permit standards in lieu of the Sign Code’s default review process; Attachment C.
4. Approve the proposed public space design concept outlined in Attachment D. 11