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formal parklet program is ready to be implemented and to have as little a gap as possible between the two programs. DISCUSSION While the pop-ups have added streetscape vitality, community connection, and expanded opportunities for outdoor dining, there have also been some concerns raised. Today, many temporary pop-ups include tents/canopies, operate with tables placed directly on the street (not at a level flush with the sidewalk) and make use of materials that are less durable and better suited to temporary installation (e.g., movable fencing or barriers). Further, many pop-ups extend beyond the limit of the parking space, block stop signs (requiring temporary relocation of the stop sign), and cover utility access points. The flexibility to provide lower-cost and more temporary solutions has been appropriate and beneficial considering the extraordinary conditions faced during COVID. However, given that parklets will be longer-term installations within the public right-of- way, maintaining safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing structures is necessary. The program, as drafted, aims to address the concerns and harness the positive aspects of the temporary program. Location and Size Staff suggests several parameters for parklet location be built into the program, to account for emergency access, utilities, sight distance/visibility, fire safety, and traffic operations and safety. The parameters are outlined in Attachment 1. Based on these parameters, staff surveyed downtown streets and has identified approximately 106 parking spaces that would be ineligible for a parklet based on the standards as seen in Exhibit A of Attachment 1. There are approximately 176 potentially eligible locations, although all locations would be reviewed at the time of application to confirm that a parklet would not cause any safety or other issues. The Planning Commission generally supported the proposed location and size standards. Some Commissioners inquired if parklets should be permitted to be placed in spaces beyond their immediate business frontage. The current policy does allow for a parklet to extend into an adjacent space, beyond its own frontage, with permission of the neighboring business and property owner. The City could consider providing additional flexibility in cases where there is no viable parking space directly fronting their business, such as a location within a certain radius or distance. This may increase the potential equity of the program by allowing more businesses that would like to operate a parklet to have the opportunity to do so. However, it may be impractical for businesses to operate parklets much beyond their frontage in terms of service, convenience, and neighboring business support, and doing so might preclude a new business from having a parklet if the space is already occupied by a neighboring restaurant or cafe. Staff believes the draft program, which does allow for modest expansion into adjacent parking spaces, provides sufficient flexibility for a circumstance where space in front of a business may be constrained to have a modest expansion into the adjacent curb area, and does not recommend further changes. Page 3 of 8