TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to prepare an update on the temporary parklet program and return to council prior to the June 30 sunset date for the program.
DISCUSSION
Temporary parklets provided a much-needed lifeline for restaurants across the City of Long Beach during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as the City prepares to end the temporary program and allow only those installations to remain that are applying for permanent status, residents have voiced concerns about the wind-down of the program.
Constituents in the 2nd District and at public meetings across the City have voiced concerns with the parking and accessibility impacts of the temporary parklets that may or may not apply for permanent status. Several specific parklets in parking-impacted neighborhoods in the 2nd District, including along Retro Row and Alamitos Beach, and in Belmont Shore in the 3rd District, have been the source of constituent questions about whether they are applying for permanent status. Concerns about dilapidated appearances and parking replacement have also been voiced. The group “Parking Not Parklets” has also reached out, including members who are 2nd District residents, with long-term parking concerns about permanent parklets being approved.
This item requests a public update be brought back to the City Council shortly including information about permanent applications and requirements, and about the wind-down of the temporary program. The item also provides a public forum for concerned residents on any side of the issue to voice their questions directly to the entire City Council in advance of the sunset of the temporary parklet program.
FISCAL IMPACT
Due to time constraints no fiscal analysis was conducted.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CINDY ALLEN, COUNCILWOMAN
SECOND DISTRICT