CC MIN 01042022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mayor Brown noted she has not opened the public hearing and the City Council has made no decisions on the timeline. Councilmember Narum noted that as it relates to the differing lengths of parking spaces, she hates designing on the fly from the dais. In response to Councilmember Narum, Associate Planner Campbell clarified the 18 and 24-foot spaces are spread throughout Main Street and the 18-foot spaces are not exclusively on corners. She advised City Council can direct staff as it sees fit. She noted if a parklet gets bigger than two parking spaces they encounter additional fire code issues so staff's advice is to go no larger than two parking spaces. She confirmed there is a guideline the parklet can only be in front of its business unless receiving permission from its neighbor. In response to Councilmember Narum, Interim City Manager Dolan advised the City would do its best to address the matter should Alameda County implement pandemic-related dining restrictions in the near term. Interim City Manager Dolan clarified what staff is showing the City Council now about the parking space size issue is, from his perspective, what was suggested last time. He advised he is unsure where there is controversy as they are allowing the wheel stops to go into the parking spaces and the parklet spaces to be maximized. In response to Councilmember Balch, Associate Planner Campbell confirmed staff is working on both an 18-foot and a 24-foot pre-approved design. Interim City Manager Dolan noted the length of the platform will not have as big of an effect on the actual design. In response to Mayor Brown, Associate Planner Campbell confirmed staff specifically measured the two unnamed parklets in question and they will not meet the future size specifications, thus requiring modifications. She advised one of them also violates the fire code for being over 400 square feet. She reported the City has not reviewed any engineering for these existing parklets to assess matters like their maximum loads. She advised the City has not inspected the substructure to ensure proper drainage is happening, noting staff did see significant water pooling. She advised staff cannot assess all levels of compliance or ease of potential modifications without the parklet's engineering plans. In response to Mayor Brown, Associate Planner Campbell confirmed the City desires to have the new parklets include removable modular pieces allowing for street maintenance beneath them without full removal. She expressed hopes the City could know about a street repaving with enough notice to build it into the parklet agreements so there are no surprises. Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. Linda Harmeson reported she has been recovering from injuries and uses an upright walker. She reported having access issues due to bicycles parked on sidewalks and chairs not being properly replaced at parklets. She advised she has had particular issues with access near Baci Bistro due to having trees near the parklet. She noted many of the parklets require her to step down into them and inhibit her from entering. In response to Mayor Brown, Associate Planner Campbell confirmed the new parklet guidelines include having the base be flush with the curb to accommodate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access requirements. In response to Councilmember Testa, Community Development Director Ellen Clark confirmed the new parklets will be more ADA accessible because they will be flush with the curb and have slope restrictions. Sidewalk dining is continuously monitored and code enforced for ADA access to sidewalks. City Council Minutes Page 7 of 10 January 4. 2022