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Staff recommends the City Council adopt the fee as recommended by staff but <br /> acknowledges there could be justification for a larger fee amount to more effectively <br /> offset program costs over time. <br /> PUBLIC NOTICE <br /> Notice of this hearing was sent to property owners and tenants/occupants between <br /> Peters Avenue and the Transportation Corridor and as far north as St. John Street and <br /> as far south as Old Bernal Avenue as shown in Exhibit C of Attachment 1. At the time of <br /> report publication, staff has received two public comments as seen in Attachment 2. <br /> One is from a retail business on Main and notes support for a parklet program (though <br /> not the continued closure of Main Street). The other was from the PDA Board, which <br /> indicates strong support for staff's recommended parklet program. They also support <br /> staff exploring a potential CIP project to allow for permanent lighting/electrical to be <br /> provided to the parklets, and request that new parklets be able to be installed on or <br /> before March 1, 2022. <br /> The City met a group including two downtown restaurant owners on November 30, to <br /> discuss the potential program. (Invitations to attend were sent to 5 restaurants located <br /> in different sections of downtown). The restaurant owners expressed a strong interest in <br /> establishing a permanent parklet program as the amenity has been vital to restaurant <br /> success throughout COVID. They shared some of their existing maintenance routines <br /> with the temporary pop-ups and emphasized their desire to continue the temporary pop- <br /> up program until the City has a permanent program in place. There was some interest in <br /> allowing for roofs on the parklets (to increase the number of months parklets could be <br /> used) and for the City to explore a plug-in lighting option. There was a suggestion that <br /> the City consider a grant program to off-set the cost of constructing the parklets. <br /> Additionally, they requested that staff continue to work with the DSRSD to waive their <br /> sewer fee as this fee may make establishment of a permanent parklet infeasible for <br /> some restaurants2. <br /> CONCLUSION <br /> As described above, staff has prepared the outline for a parklet program that addresses <br /> appropriate location, size, and design guidelines, and includes a new permit process <br /> and fees. Most of the temporary pop-ups installed downtown today will not comply with <br /> this program. However, some of the structures may comply with minor alterations (e.g., <br /> removal of pop-up tents, treatment of the wood, and providing the City with necessary <br /> plans to confirm the structural/engineering integrity of the structure). <br /> Throughout COVID, the temporary pop-ups have been successful at activating the <br /> street, providing some economic relief to restaurants, and expanding outdoor dining <br /> opportunities to the community. But the ad hoc nature of many of the pop-ups has not <br /> met the aesthetic standards typically expected in downtown Pleasanton. There have <br /> To note,staff has since discussed sewer fees with DSRSD,who has indicated they would be amenable to waiving <br /> their for the first 2-3 years of operation while parklet operators decide if their parklet will be more"temporary"or <br /> continue for future years. <br /> Page 7 of 8 <br />