TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute a Public Walkways Occupancy Permit with an extension parklet for sidewalk dining at the Ahimsa Vegan Kitchen, located at 340 East 4th Street. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
Ahimsa Foods, LLC, the business owner of the Ahimsa Vegan Kitchen restaurant, requests a permit to temporarily occupy part of the adjoining sidewalk at 340 East 4th Street, for the purpose of sidewalk dining. The proposed permit area sketch and a list of furnishings and accessories, to be placed in the permit area, are shown on the attached 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 15 feet. A minimum clearance of 7 feet will be maintained between the permit area and property line.
In addition, the applicant has requested a Public Works (PW) permit to construct a "parklet" for the purpose of providing additional outdoor dining space. A parklet is the temporary use of a curbside parking space for outdoor landscape and seating. This is done by constructing a raised platform in the parking space at the same elevation as the adjoining sidewalk, thereby essentially extending the sidewalk area into the street.
All Public Walkways Occupancy Permits with extension parklets require a maintenance agreement. Because this request has streetlights within the proposed permit area, (PW) will require the business owner to preserve the streetlights, electrical vault, street tree, and hold the City harmless for any liability caused by the existence of the public fixtures.
PW staff have reviewed and tentatively approved the applicant's drawings of their proposed parklet construction, attached as Exhibit B. The proposed temporary platform, constructed with the oversight of the (PW), will include a sturdy barrier to provide high visibility to motor vehicles. The permit for this temporary use of the street right-of-way for the parklet is revocable should the loss of parking space becomes an issue, or if staff finds that there are other problems associated with the parklet.
This matter was approved by the Development Services Building and Safety Bureau on June 18, 2014, by Deputy City Attorney Amy Webber on July 3, 2014, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 28, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested for June 16, 2015, so that sidewalk dining operations can begin in time for the summer tourist season.
FISCAL IMPACT
A permit processing fee of $1,209 was deposited into the General Fund (GF) in the Public Works Department (PW) and a security deposit of $1,139 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,
ARA MALOYAN, P.E.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER