Santa Monica City Council
June 28, 2022

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SM OUTDOORS PROGRAM - TRANSITION
Tonight:
 Santa Monica Outdoors
Parklet Program
Coming Soon:
 September: Promenade
Extended Dining Program
 December: Private
Property Dining
 Ongoing: Pier License
Agreements
TONIGHT:

PROPOSED PERMANENT PARKLET PROGRAM
Staff recommendation
 Introduce ordinance to establish a permanent Santa Monica Outdoors Parklet Program
 Adopt a resolution establishing monthly license fees in support of the Santa Monica Outdoors Parklet Program

OVERVIEW

BACKGROUND & RESEARCH
WHAT IS A (PRIVATE) PARKLET?
 Conversion of on-street
parking or loading space into
vibrant extension of the
sidewalk
 Privately maintained and
operated – for exclusive use of
business patrons
 Supports outdoor business
operations and commercial
district economic vitality
 Table service and alcohol
sales permitted in
accordance with state and
city regulations

BUILDING ON PREVIOUS SUCCESS
2015
Main Street
Parklet Pilot
(3 parklets)
2020-Present
Temporary Outdoor
Use Program
(90 parklets)
Fall 2022
Permanent
Parklet
Program

BUILDING ON PREVIOUS SUCCESS
of business owners surveyed stated they
wanted to maintain their expanded
operations to sidewalk or parklet areas
of business owners support parklets
of residents and visitors would like to see
more parklets
84%
83%
100%
of residents and visitors said they were
more likely to patronize a business if it had a
parklet
80%
83% of business owners said they are willing
to pay a parklet fee comparable to
sidewalk dining

PEER CITY RESEARCH
Design Siting and
Maintenance
Fees
Cities Interviewed:
 West Hollywood
 Long Beach
 San Francisco
 Culver City

LESSONS LEARNED
 Operation of Parklets
 Parklet size
 Neighbor consent
 Maintenance
Informed by
previous/existing
parklet and outdoor
dining programs, as well
as peer city research

OVERVIEW

PROPOSED PERMANENT PROGRAM

PROGRAM GOALS

1. Reimagine the potential of
city streets

2. Provide safe new spaces for
community gathering and
interaction

3. Support local businesses and
promote economic vitality

4. Encourage pedestrian
activity and vibrant, highquality streetscapes

A SIMPLE, EASY TO USE PROGRAM
 Clear standards and guidelines for parklet
construction established through
administrative regulations
 Standard drawings for reference
 Cost Recovery Fees for review, inspection,
wastewater, as well as a monthly license fee
and security deposit
 Fees were reviewed by Council on May 24, 2022
 Maintenance requirements from operators and
annual inspection from Public Works
 Streamlined review and permitting process
with accompanying license agreement
 Modeled after existing sidewalk dining process

DESIGN STANDARDS
Maximum Parklet size
 2 Parking/Loading Spaces
Universal access and
maintenance requirements
 Flush mount deck required
 Universal access
Traffic-rated safety barriers
 Variety of options
DESIGN STANDARDS –2 Space Size Limitation
Curb
Management:

Vehicle
loading in bike
lane
Curb
Management:

Food delivery
blocking bike
lane
Design consistency
 Equal for all businesses
Curb management
 Food delivery
 Loading zones
 Bus zones
 Trash pick up
DESIGN STANDARDS –2 Space Size Limitation
Safety and Access
 Emergency services
 Propane storage
 Traffic circulation
 Safe unloading of bus
passengers
City Asset Maintenance
 Tree trimming
 Utilities
 Sidewalk repair
Neighbor disputes
Safety and
Access:

Storage of
propane and
furnishings
outside parklet
City
Maintenance:

Access for
tree trimming,
sidewalk
repair
DESIGN STANDARDS –Access & Maintenance
Requirements
 Deck flush with curb
 Access at entry/exit points
 Furnishings
 Drainage and flow
Access:

Deck flush with
curb; entry
points must
comply with
ADA
Furnishings:

Cannot block
visibility
through
parklet
DESIGN STANDARDS –Access & Maintenance
Requirements
 Deck flush with curb
 Access at entry/exit points
 Furnishings
 Drainage and flow
Drainage:

Deck design
must allow
for proper
drainage
Furnishings:

Must be
universally
accessible
Planters (on approach) Sand or water
barrel
Concrete K-Rail
Water-filled K-Rail
DESIGN STANDARDS –Safety Barrier
Approach Barrier
Requirements
 Planters (700+ lb each)
 Sand or water barrels
 Concrete k-rail
 Water filled barriers
DESIGN STANDARDS –Safety Barrier
Enclosure Barrier
Options
 Wood frame
 Metal/steel frame
 Faux wood frame
 K-rail or water filled
barrier
 Other comparable
materials to create
enclosure
Ashland Hill, Santa Monica
Alfalfa, Santa Monica

ELIGIBLE STREETS
 Streets with <25mph or 30mph and
under if conventional bike lane is
present
 Applicable locations and corridors
include streets such as
 Ocean Ave, 2nd Street, 3rd Street,
4th Street and other commercial
corridors downtown
 Montana, Broadway, Main, and
Ocean Park Blvd. outside of
downtown
Costs help keep program sustainable
 Administrative time
 Fully covers part-time Public Works Inspector
 Fees are based on existing Sidewalk Dining Program
One-Time Initial Costs Ongoing Costs
Plan review and
inspection fees
License fees
(aligned with existing Sidewalk Dining fees)
Wastewater fees
(net new seats) Inspection fees

PARKLET COSTS

EASY APPLICATION PROCESS

REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESS

GRADUAL COMPLIANCE TIMELINE

ORDINANCE CORRECTION
 6.42.030(e) - p.5 of the Ordinance
 Parking or Loading Space Limitation. An eligible business may obtain a permit for use of up to two parking or loading spaces for a total maximum of 320 square feet.

RECOMMENDATION
 Introduce ordinance to establish a permanent Santa Monica Outdoors Parklet Program
 Adopt a resolution establishing monthly license fees in support of the Santa Monica Outdoors Parklet Program

NEXT STEPS ON OTHER OUTDOORS PROGRAMS
 Promenade & Main Street satellite spaces sunset
 Promenade Roadway
 By September 30, 2022
 Expanded Guidelines for Sidewalk Dining
 Promenade – extend to curb
 Extend to vacant neighboring tenant spaces
 Non-Contiguous Dining (e.g. parkways)
 Private Outdoor Space
 By December 31, 2022
 Pier – license agreement amendments