TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager, or his designee, to report back to the City Council within 90 days regarding the current program and municipal codes related to Parklets in the City of Long Beach. This report should include:
• Details of the current program and procedures including costs
associated;
• Ways to modernize the program to allow other non-restaurant
small businesses opportunities to create the same public/private
space in front of their establishments;
• Insight on what cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and others
are doing regarding similar programs;
• Opportunities to make this program more cost-effective for small
business owners.
DISCUSSION
Public Walkway Occupancy Permits or "Parklets" as they are better known, have been growing in popularity around the United States. In Long Beach, we have over a dozen existing parklets. However, under the current guidelines presented in Chapter 14.14 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, parklets are only allowed to accompany existing restaurants who are looking to expand their seating area. As we continue to attract new businesses throughout the City of Long Beach, it is important to open up the opportunity to program and maintain a parklet to more uses than are currently defined in the Municipal Code. Parklets not only create more space for the public to enjoy our great city but they are an opportunity for small business owners in our city to grow their business and brand.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for this report.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LENA GONZALEZ
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
STACY MUNGO
COUNCILWOMAN, FIFTH DISTRICT
REX RICHARDSON
VICE MAYOR, NINTH DISTRICT