TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Mayor Liccardo
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:SEE BELOW DATE: April 26, 2022
Approved Date 4/26/22
SUBJECT: THE FUTURE OF SAN PEDRO AND POST STREETS
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve staff’s recommendation outlined in the City Manager’s Early Consideration Request form to return through the FY 22-23 MBA process for City Council consideration of the budget required to perform the additional analysis and community outreach, and to return to Council after the completion of that work. Councilmember Peralez’s proposal should be a primary option that is evaluated, along with a partial closure.
2. Direct the City Manager and City Attorney to extend the local emergency order affecting San José Al Fresco to June 30, 2023 to allow for adequate time for implementation of recommendation #1.
BACKGROUND
I thank Councilmember Peralez for bringing this item forward for discussion, to call the question on long-discussed ideas around converting all or parts of these streets to a vibrant pedestrian corridor. These two streets present an opportunity to create a great outdoor urban experience for residents, diners, and nearby office-dwellers, and deserves a thorough analysis and input from those most impacted. That includes community input from businesses, residents, and property owners impacted by this potential decision, and full Council awareness of the cost implications of various options. We also need input from City staff; we have already heard from our Fire Department and Department of Transportation substantial concerns about life safety issues, although I’m confident we can sensibly address those concerns with more work.
During a community meeting regarding the San Pedro Street closure last week, many business and property owners seem open to the idea of the street closure, but they and others have many unaddressed questions around fire access, delivery access and garage access, to name a few. Since that meeting we have also heard from adjacent property owners in the area that had
COUNCIL AGENDA: 4/26/22
ITEM: 8.3
no awareness of this potential action whatsoever. We need to take the time needed to fully understand all implications so we can make well-informed decisions. I ask that we direct staff to conduct the necessary return through the FY 22-23 MBA process with the budget required to do this work, and options for the Council to consider.
To allow time for the implementation of this recommendation, I also ask that we direct the City Manager and City Attorney to extend the local emergency ordinance affecting San José Al Fresco to June 30, 2023.