TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager to extend the parklet installation completion deadline to January 2, 2023, only for restaurants that have an existing temporary parklet and are in the process of establishing a permanent parklet in accordance with the City’s Permanent Parklet Guidelines, for those restaurants who received notice from the City Traffic Engineer that their proposed permanent parklet is feasible and have met all requirements of the permanent parklet application process; and, extend all existing OAP’s to January 2, 2023. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
During the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurant parklets and OAP’s provided a crucial boon to local businesses, and also helped maintain a sense of community and normalcy by enabling residents and visitors to eat out in a public setting and continue supporting our local economy. This program was very successful and popular.
With indoor seating now available, some parklets are no longer appropriate for their location. However, certain parklets have been deemed feasible for permanent installation, and the City Council has allowed them to remain in place while restaurants move through the process for application and permanent installation.
As the September 30, 2022 deadline to remove existing parklets approaches, many businesses have contacted the City requesting extensions due to the complexity, time, and expense involved in applying for and installing new parklets. In order to support these local businesses, our Long Beach economy, and this popular program for diners and residents, Council should extend the deadline by approximately three months to January 2, 2023. As the OAP’s were part of the overall Open Streets Initiative which included the launch of the temporary parklet program and also supported outdoor eating and the local economy, we recommend extending their use through January 2, 2023
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation requests the City Manager to provide staff support to continue oversight, monitoring, and management of the temporary parklet and OAP programs, beyond the September 30, 2022 deadline. Through the life of these programs, there has been extensive staff time and funding support required. This recommendation is anticipated to require a significant level of staff hours beyond normal budgeted scope of duties and is expected to have a moderate impact on existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT GARCIA
MAYOR