TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a Public Walkways Occupancy Permit with sidewalk extension parklet for sidewalk dining at Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria restaurant, located at 401 West Willow Street. (District 6)
DISCUSSION
The operator of Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria restaurant, located at 401 West Willow Street, requests a new permit to temporarily occupy part of the adjoining sidewalk for the purpose of sidewalk dining. The proposed permit area and the list of furnishings to be placed in the permit area are shown on the attachment (Exhibit A). Approval of this permit is based on the conditions and standards of Chapter 14.14 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, which describes temporary uses of public right-of-way. The width of the sidewalk at this location is 12 feet. A minimum clearance of 7 feet will be maintained on the sidewalk between the restaurant and the permit area.
In addition to the sidewalk dining permit, the permittee has requested a Public Works permit to construct a parklet for the purpose of providing additional outdoor dining space. A parklet is a temporary space for outdoor landscape and seating constructed on a raised platform in a parking space to extend the sidewalk area into the street. There are currently ten permitted parklets throughout the city.
The Long Beach Water Department requires that the permittee relocate an existing water meter to outside of the permit area. All Public Walkways Occupancy Permits with extension parklets require a Maintenance Agreement. Public Works requires that the permittee be held liable for damages to the water facility, and hold the City harmless for any liability caused by relocation of the water meter vault. In addition, the existing parkway must be paved, and a bike rack must be relocated in order to accommodate sidewalk dining use.
Public Works staff have reviewed and approved the permittee’s drawings of the proposed parklet construction (Exhibit B). The proposed temporary platform, constructed with the oversight of the Public Works Department, will include a barrier to provide high visibility to motor vehicles. One parking space will be lost. The permit for the temporary use of the street right-of-way for the parklet is revocable should the loss of parking space become an issue, or if staff finds that there are other problems associated with the parklet.
This matter was reviewed by the Department of Development Services Building and Safety Bureau on December 15, 2016, by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on March 13, 2017, and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on March 14, 2017.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on April 4, 2017, so that the permittee can complete installation of the parklet in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
A permit processing fee of $940 was deposited in the General Fund (GF) in the Public Works Department (PW), and a security deposit of $885 was collected to ensure sidewalk repairs upon permit termination. Approval of this recommendation will provide continued support to the local economy.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER