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THE CITY OF 19 —•• ••• ''r"" CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT pLEASANTON July 20, 2021 Community Development Planning Division TITLE: CONSIDER TIMING FOR PHASING OUT OF TEMPORARY POP-UPS, AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION ON LONG-TERM PARKLET PROGRAM SUMMARY Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Pleasanton has allowed businesses to temporarily expand dining, display, and business activities outdoors into private parking lots, the sidewalk, and public parking spaces ("pop-ups"). Recognizing the urgency and hardship placed on businesses due to COVID restrictions, the City processed these applications with a simplified process, and provided a relatively limited set of design and operational standards with which the temporary pop-ups needed to comply. This flexibility has provided opportunities for businesses to operate while maintaining appropriate social distancing consistent with health guidance. The outdoor temporary pop-ups added vitality and community connection but also reduced the quantity of available parking spaces, and there has been some criticism about the aesthetics of these pop-ups within downtown. This agenda item seeks policy direction from City Council on the timing of phasing out the temporary pop-ups, and whether the City should consider adopting a more formal longer-term downtown parklet program. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council confirm the September 6, 2021 , removal date for the temporary pop-ups, with an option to allow them to continue through the end of October. Additionally, Staff recommends the City Council does not explore a formal parklet program that would allow for creation of "reserved" private parklets; however, a smaller scale public parklet program could be considered. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact at this time.