1 GUIDELINES
for Temporary
Outdoor Dining
Parklets
City of San Clemente
2022-2023
Attachment 3
2 Eligibility (see also SCMC 17.28.206)
Parklets may be established:
On sidewalks where the public path of travel is greater than 10’ in width. In these cases, the parklet may occupy 40% of the width of the sidewalk.
Within designated parking parking spaces on streets where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or slower. On private property in areas that do not obstruct required paths of travel and do not remove more than 5 parking spaces or 50% of parking attributed to the business (whichever is less). Near/adjacent to the business’s frontage (at the discretion of City Staff).
Limitations on Parklets:
A maximum of 42 parking spaces may be used on Avenida Del Mar. This equates to 29% of the on-street parking stock (143 spaces) for Avenida Del Mar, but only 4% of the downtown public parking stock (1014 spaces) Parklets may have a maximum of 24 seats for dining + a bench for customers waiting to be seated No more than 6 consecutive parking spaces may be occupied on Ave. Del Mar Businesses may submit joint applications for shared spaces – great for breakfast and dinner neighbors! Parklets must be located at least ten (10) feet away from any intersection or street corner Parklets may not obstruct Class 1 or 2 bike lanes
Parklets may not be within five (5) feet of storm drain inlets or cleanouts.
Participating businesses are required to enter into a Limited Term Parking Relief Agreement with the City which incorporates a monthly fee of $4 per square foot of dining area on public property and $1 per square foot of dining area on private property, as established by the City Council. Collected funds will be used by the City to augment the Trolley operations and other programs that support mobility improvements within the City. 3 Parklet Specifications
Design Goal
The City desires to find a balance between a cohesive street scene while also allowing room for individual business character in parklets. The street-facing portions will require a consistent design that provides a clear delineation from traffic. The decks on Del Mar and other public areas will be built to a standard configuration, but may incorporate different colors, plants, or other features to distinguish the different operators of those spaces.
Standard Parklet Plans
SMP Environmental Design, the City’s consulting landscape architect, prepared standard plans for parklets in angle-in and parallel parking configurations. The standard plans are attached as the final pages of these guidelines. Parklets on public streets, including Ave. Del Mar, are required to build their space to the specifications of one of these alternatives.
Dimensions
Avenida Del Mar has an 80’ right of way (ROW), which includes the street (54’) and adjacent sidewalk areas (~8’/ea), which include curbs, driveway aprons, and parkway tree planters. Outdoor dining on Del Mar may not use sidewalk areas. The parklets may be established on-street and occupy 14’ of space out from the curb in areas where “angle-in” parking fronts the business. Beyond the 14’ deck, the business is also responsible for constructing the standard 4-foot “buffer zone” which includes plants and traffic rated protection for the dining areas. Parklets may occupy 3 angle-in parking spaces per business along Avenida Del Mar.
4 Businesses with frontage along parallel parking space areas may only occupy 2 parking spaces, approximately 40 lineal feet.
They must also provide the 4’ buffer zone, which leaves approximately 5-feet for a parklet deck. All parklets must be constructed a minimum of 2-feet off center of parking stripes to allow for egress from vehicles that park in adjacent stalls.
Businesses fronting Avenida Victoria in the Pier Bowl may be granted more than 2 parallel parking spaces (or equivalent) with City approval.
Buffer Zone
The 4-foot buffer zone is intended to have a consistent appearance and set a regular edge and rhythm. This area will be characterized by concrete planters, which should be set at 5’ intervals. The first planter should be set at the corner nearest adjacent oncoming traffic, with subsequent planters spaced approximately every 5-feet. A reflective strip or button should be placed at the top edge of each planter. For a parklet that uses 3 parking spaces, five (5) planters would be required.
SMP Environmental Design provided sample plants and shrubs that would be appropriate in parklet planters. These are detailed after the template plans at the end of this document. Plants must be kept in a healthy condition and are the responsibility of the business owner. The City will procure the planters (see Figure 1), which will be 30” diameter and height. The businesses will be responsible for $250/planter needed for their parklet as detailed in the Limited Term Parking Relief Agreement. The City will cover the rest of the cost and will assume ownership and responsibility of the planters after December 31, 2023.
Figure 1: Mex Cylinder Concrete Planter
5 Configuration
Each parklet must be surrounded on the three street-adjacent sides with a barrier to establish the boundaries of the parklet.
The barrier on the traffic side should not allow pedestrians to pass through directly into traffic. The interface with the public sidewalk should be flush so that the dining area is accessible.
Curbs & Storm Flow
Large volumes of water may flow down some streets during rain events. These guidelines require businesses to maintain drainage along the street and gutter lines at all times. Parklets cannot obstruct public utilities or interfere with drainage or storm drains. All parklets must be designed and built outside of the gutter lines in order to accommodate storm flows. If a parklet is constructed on a platform, the platform must be entirely above the gutter. Street deck/platforms should have a 5”x 18” minimum opening for curb drainage, unless approved otherwise by the City Engineer. Business owners are fully responsible for assuring that their existing platforms and other outdoor features are constructed and maintained in a manner that allows the free flow of water and does not result in flooding.
ADA Spaces
A business may request to use an ADA parking stall as part of their parklet area but is responsible for any fees as determined by Public Works and/or Maintenance related to creation of a replacement temporary ADA stall at an alternate location within 150 feet. The neighboring businesses (within 150’ feet) should consent to the ADA space relocation; this consent will be considered by the Public Works Director in determining whether to allow the relocation.
Parklets on Private Property
Parklets may be established on private property throughout the City in areas that do not obstruct required paths of travel and do not remove more than 3 parking spaces that are attributed to the business’s use. Parklets on private property are 6 encouraged to construct wooden decks, but are not required to do so. They need to use a forty-two (42) inch high railing to serve as a barrier from vehicular traffic within parking lots. These permiter barriers must be of wooden construction. Private parklets are encouraged to use market umbrellas for shade, but may use a single large tent (if approved by OCFA). They may not use 10-foot square pop up tents. Parklets may not be sited on ADA parking spaces, within 5 feet of any fire hydrant, natural gas, or electric utility equipment.
Parklet Design & Aesthetics
Design, Materials, and Accessories
The following design guidelines were prepared in cooperation with the San Clemente Design Review Subcommittee (DRSC).
These guidelines are intended to improve the design and aesthetics of parklets and are intended to:
Reduce visual clutter
Create a standardized street interface
Improve safety and visibility
Provide for some flexibility and individualization amongst the different businesses Encourage low maintenance furniture, plants, and accessories Encourage dark sky friendly illumination
Deck Surfaces
Parklets on the public street require platform/deck construction in order to be raised to the height of the adjacent sidewalk.
Decks must be constructed of wood. Decks should leave leave 5” by 18” clear adjacent to the curb to allow for storm water flow. (Parklets on private property are encouraged, but not required, to construct decks.) 7 Approved Barrier Materials
The 3-side perimeter barrier should be constructed with wood, polywood, or dark iron pickets. Wood with cable is permitted for parklet enclosures on private property. Integration of natural concrete or terracotta planters is also permitted. Barrier should be only semi-private (no solid surfaces) so that police services may maintain visibility into the areas. These barrier types apply to parklets on both public and private property.
Furniture
Outdoor dining areas should use simple patio furniture designs. Plastic or vinyl furniture is discouraged. This applies to parklets on both public and private property.
Lighting
Where lighting is used, it should be placed at a low level - in plantings or along barrier fencing.
Lighting Overhead lighting is discouraged. All lighting should be white with a temperature rating of 3500k (warm white). Lighting should
be set on a timer or unplugged after
business hours. It should be shielded
and directed downward. Parklets on
public property should use solar lighting.
Cords across the public sidewalk will not
be supported, and drawing from public
power sources will not be available.
Figure 3: Sample perimeter lighting at Rancho Capistrano Winery Figure 2: Example of Solar Lights for posts
8 Shade and heat
Only round market umbrellas may be used for shade. Each parklet may use a maximum of three umbrellas. 8-9’ umbrella sizes are recommended. Low height (under 5’) infrared heaters are strongly preferred. A maximum of two portable propane heaters over 6- feet tall are permitted on any parklet.
Encouraged vs. Discouraged Elements:
Encouraged Elements
Natural wood with dark stains or paint
Drought tolerant plants under 3-feet in height
Solar powered lighting
Business colors used in furniture (chairs, umbrellas, etc) Menu sign affixed to barrier at sidewalk edge, not to exceed 2’x2’
Edge lighting and downward angled lighting
Discouraged Elements
Pop-up tents (except in limited circumstances on private property)
Overhead elements
Lattice (wood or plastic)
Plastic or vinyl fences, trellises, or furniture
Excessive decoration
Elevated string lighting
Tall walls, plants or other accessories over 5-feet in height Banner signs
Figure 4: Market umbrellas and heaters
9 Accessibility
It is the responsibility of each restaurant operator to provide outdoor dining in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Building Code Standards (CBC). The requirements listed below were developed as part of the overall Parklet guidelines in order to assist restaurant operators with meeting these compliance requirements. Nothing contained herein shall replace or diminish any of the requirements under the ADA or CBC.
For beverage and dining establishments, at least 5% of the seating spaces and 5% of the standing spaces shall be accessible.
All accessibility requirements are subject to inspection. Accessible spaces must meet the following requirements:
Table surface between 28 to 34 inches high.
At least 27 inches of space from the floor to
the bottom of the table.
Knee clearance extends at least 19 inches
under the table.
Total clear floor area of 30 inches by 48
inches per seat.
Minimum distance of 4 feet to the nearest
obstruction.
International Symbol of Accessibility
displayed at the table.
Maintain an accessible path of travel to the
table.
Figure 5: Accessibility Standards
10 Insurance Requirement for Dining Areas on Public Property The City requires Commercial General Liability, personal injury and property damage liability, with minimum combined liability limits of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence. Any deductible or self-insured retention in excess of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) shall be declared to the City and requires the prior approval. An additional insured endorsement to the general liability policy is required and shall name and list the City of San Clemente, its officials, officers, employees, agents and volunteers as additional insured. It is the responsibility of the business owner to maintain current insurance. Lapsed insurance may constitute grounds for termination of any parklet permit.
Orange County Fire Authority Requirements
• Exits and aisles leading to exits shall not be obstructed at any time. • Exits shall terminate to an approved Public Way.
• Fire department access, roadways and gates shall remain unobstructed at all times in order to allow emergency vehicles access for firefighting purposes.
• Temporary railings shall be adequately braced and anchored to withstand the elements of weather and/or collapse. • A currently tagged fire extinguisher (min. 2A 10BC ) shall be present within 75 feet of travel distance • All fire protection equipment shall be maintained in an operative condition. • Clearance around fire protection equipment shall be maintained. (Fire hydrants, Fire department connections, and Outside Stem & Yolk’s)
• Flaming food, drinks, and candles are prohibited.
• Individual or adjacent tents/canopies/E-Z Ups/membrane structures that are either: A) 400 sq.ft. with one or more sidewalls, or B) 700 sq.ft. without sidewalls must submit a Special Event Screening form. • Visit www.OCFA.org Business Prevention Field Services Special Events Permits. 11 Pollution Prevention Requirements
• Outdoor eating and drinking venues must adhere to water pollution prevention practices to prevent trash, debris, food residue and other wastes from entering the storm drain system. The applicant is responsible for cleaning the permitted area. Clean-up activities must be in compliance with all pertinent City codes, including the Storm Water Runoff Control Ordinance, SCMC 13.040.
• When cleaning outdoor eating/drinking spaces follow these best management practices (BMPs):
o Do not hose down any outdoor eating/drinking area.
o Use dry cleanup methods, such as sweeping and hand removal, to clean up debris. o Have materials (absorbent pads, material, rags, mops, brooms, and/or dust pans) on-site to immediately clean-up spilled/edible materials such as beverages, ice cream or food. o Periodically clean all outdoor eating/drinking areas of waste material during the operation. o Trash, debris, food residue and other wastes must be removed at the conclusion of each day. o Place and regularly service temporary waste and recycling receptacles near outdoor eating/drinking areas for patrons to conveniently dispose of/recycle waste material. This will help prevent the overflow of nearby City trash and recycling receptacles.
o Any water used for cleaning purposes must be collected and disposed of appropriately. o At no time shall waste or wastewater enter the City’s storm drain system, which includes gutters and storm drain catch basins.
o Train employees about pollution prevention best management practices (BMPs).
Department of Alcoholic Beverages Requirements
The business owner is responsible for obtaining any required approvals from the CA ABC, such as a Temporary Catering Auhorization.
12 Approvals are Temporary
The City of San Clemente reserves the right to remove parklets and clear the right-of-way at its sole discretion. Please contact the City at [email protected] for pre-approval of your parklet design. Once a parklet following the above guidelines is approved and completed, submit photos from different angles to [email protected] with the business name and address in the subject line. At the conclusion of this program, parklets must be removed, and the parking and sidewalk areas must be restored to their original condition. If you have questions or need additional guidance, please send an email to [email protected].