HomeMy WebLinkAboutED On-Street Dining____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: 12/3/2018
Disposition: Accepted report
Agenda Item No: 4.h
Meeting Date: December 3, 2018
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Economic Development
Prepared by: Simon Vuong
Economic Development Coordinator
City Manager Approval: ____ __________
TOPIC: Proposal to Streamline On-Street Dining Process to Replace the Expired
Parklet Program
SUBJECT: Informational Report Regarding Streamlining the Parklet Program to an On-
Street Dining Application Process
RECOMMENDATION: Accept report.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of San Rafael authorized a Parklet Pilot Program from 2015 to 2018, during which one
restaurant applied when four were authorized. That parklet project has not yet been constructed,
but additional restaurants have since expressed interest in this expired program. To maintain
business interest, staff recommends continuing the program but streamlining the process to
encourage more participation and make it easier for potential applicants.
BACKGROUND:
All forms of outdoor dining are currently allowed under San Rafael Municipal Code Section
14.16.277, “Use of City Sidewalks and Rights-of-Way for Outdoor Eating Areas”. This ordinance,
in place since 2000, requires that the business enter into a license agreement with the City,
provide liability insurance, provide a site plan for the proposed outdoor seating location, an d
agree to maintain the area. The zoning requirements and performance standards for outdoor
dining are also outlined in San Rafael Municipal Code Section 14.17.110 , “Outdoor Eating Areas
Proposed in Conjunction with Food Service Establishments”.
On August 17, 2015, the City Council adopted the pilot program to expand the Outdoor Dining
Program to include Parklet projects, which provided a process for businesses to use the parking
space areas for outdoor dining purposes. Under the pilot program, no more than four on-street
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
dining projects spread throughout Downtown, taking up no more than eight cumulative parking
stalls would have been allowed, with no single on-street dining project occupying more than two
parking stalls. The maximum number of on-street dining projects allowed in the three identified
sub-districts was also capped at two to evenly distribute these projects. The pilot program was
authorized for a total of three years, and effectively expired on August 17, 2018, but additional
restaurants have since expressed interest in the program.
ANALYSIS:
Despite the expiration of the pilot program, staff has concluded that allowing on-street dining will
add to the vitality of Downtown San Rafael. Therefore, staff is recommending that the City
continue to allow on-street dining under the same limitations authorized in the August 17, 2015.
Waiver of Certain Code Requirements - Staff recommends a waiver of the following limitations
on outdoor dining establishments contained in San Rafael Municipal Code section
14.17.110(C)(3), ‘Intensification of Use,’ which limits the total amount of allowed outdoor seating,
and San Rafael Municipal Code 14.17.110(C)(7), ‘Fixtures’, which requires that furnishings be
moveable. Staff believes that waiving these provisions will create more interest in on-street
dining among business owners.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
In addition to the community outreach performed in 2015, staff has presented and solicited
feedback from a variety of community groups , including the Downtown Business Improvement
District (BID), the Chamber of Commerce Economic Vitality Committee, and the City Council’s
Economic Development Subcommittee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As with the original program, the main fiscal impact would be the loss of parking meter revenue
at the at the specific improved locations. The loss per parking meter has been estimated to be
$2,000 to $4,000 per stall per year, for a total of $4,000 to $8,000 per project, for a maximum
amount of $16,000-$32,000 if all four on-street dining projects are approved and in operation.
Any increase in meter revenues at other locations due to the increased activity has not been
factored into the above estimates.
The fee waiver of $932 per project for the first four restaurants would remain for businesses to
incentivize participation. A Building Permit would still be required to install the on-street dining
project, and the cost of the Building Permit is not included as part of the waived fees.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider on this matter:
1.Accept the report as presented or with modifications.
2.Take no action.
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept the report to extend the program and streamline the process.
ATTACHMENT:
1.Map of Outdoor Dining Pilot Program Areas
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