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allowed, to minimize loss of parking on individual blocks. If a "private use" parklet program is explored, this may mean that some specific businesses wishing to have a parklet may not be able to, adding complexity to the program. This could be managed more equitably through a "public use" parklet program.2 Conclusion/Recommendation At this time, businesses have been interested in pursuing a parklet program with a similar structure to that which exists today with the pop-ups (i.e., each pop-up is exclusively used by one business). Based on the above concerns, staff does not recommend proceeding with a formal parklet program that would allow for individual businesses to install parklets for the exclusive, private use of their patrons. Staff recognizes the considerable hardship faced by restaurants, particularly during COVID. However, it will be challenging to structure a "private use" parklet program that will be equitable for all downtown businesses, and balance concerns about downtown parking. If the City Council has interest in continuing to explore a different form of parklet program, such as limited installation of "public use" parklets sponsored by businesses or the City, staff could bring back some more specific recommendations on the components of a program along these lines. These guidelines would include location standards, minimum design requirements, operational parameters, and other criteria for approval, as outlined above. Existing Policies Several existing policies support parklets (particularly publicly available parklets) downtown, including the following: • General Plan Community Character Element (Policy 4): Enhance the downtown as a focus of community activity. • Downtown Specific Plan (Land Use Objective 5): To encourage the creation of publicly accessible mini-plazas along Main Street. • Downtown Design Guidelines (p.26): Outdoor sitting and dining areas encouraged Downtown. • Downtown Design Guidelines (p.26): Maintain a minimum 4-foot passageway along sidewalks to preserve pedestrian flow. Several existing policies support maintaining the parking supply downtown, including the following: • Downtown Specific Plan (Mobility and Parking MP-G.4): ...Construct new public parking spaces as feasible to maintain an appropriate balance between downtown parking and supply. 2 The City is currently making improvements within the Transportation Corridor (mid-block between Abbie Street and Bernal Avenue), which will add approximately 80 new parking spaces within the downtown. While parklets will remove some parking spaces directly in front of downtown businesses, this additional vehicle parking supply could help to offset the loss of parking spaces. Page 5 of 6